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% 

THIRTY-TWO YEARS 


OF THE 

LIFE OF 

AN ADVENTURER. 


WRITTEN AND TUBLISHED B Y 

JOHN H. DRAKE, 

* • 

WILLI AMS BURGH, L. I. 


PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, 

BY WILLIAM H. COLYER, 5, HAGUE-STREET } 
NE W- YORK. 


1817. 




,1W 


<£sr 8 o/y. 

. 5 ? 

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, 
By John H< Drake, 

in the Clerk’s Office of the Southern District of New York, 



PREFACE. 


The writer of this little work, in presenting it for 
the inspection of the public, does not deem it necessary 
to weary the patience of the reader by a lengthy preface; 
nor would he offer any apology for writing, as his motives 
are simply to benefit the rising generation. The character 
set forth, stands out in bold relief, before an assembled 
universe, as a faithful exhibition of fallen man, presenting 
to the mind of the reader a life as checkered and various 
as the wind, and with as many points as the mariner’s 
compass. He commences the work by a brief sketch of 
the father of the individual of whom he is writing; and 
then, in a plain and simple manner, he gives the reader a 
faithful account of thirty-two years of the life of an ad¬ 
venturer ; which, he trusts, may serve as a beacon-light 
to warn youth of approaching danger, and be the means 
of piloting his frail bark over the ocean of life, and at 
last, of his safe arrival into that haven of rest where he 
shall no longer be subjected to trials, storms, and tem¬ 
pests, which may have beat upon him here, and where 
every tear shall be wiped from the eye, and he be per¬ 
mitted, throughout eternity, to bask under the effulgent 
beams of the radiant countenance of the Captain of his 
salvation. 

In view of the talent and skill necessary for success¬ 
ful authorship, in this age of book-making, he, as a matter 


IV. 


PREFACE. 


of course—as this is his first attempt—has sufficient cause 
to ask that some indulgence should be granted him, 
especially by the critical reader of the following pages. 
Faults in the style, no doubt, exist; but, it is hoped, there 
is nothing to prevent a ready and clear apprehension of 
the author’s sentiments and objects. And when this 
warm heart shall cease to beat, and the mind to sympa¬ 
thise with the unfortunate and down trodden, may this 
little work be handed down from generation to generation, 
until the destroying angel shall stand with one foot upon 
the earth and another upon the sea, and with the voice of 
a trumpet shall declare, As the Lord liveth, time shall be 
no more: all of which is respectfully submitted by the 
humble author, 

JOHN H. DRAKE. 


1 Williamsburg h, 

July 1st, 1847. 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS 

or THE 

LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


I was born in the city of New York, October 
11th, IS 14. My father, for several years pre¬ 
vious to this time, commanded a vessel sailing 
out of that port to various parts of England and 
Ireland, until the war broke out between the 
United States of America and Great Britain. His 
vessel was captured, and himself and crew were 
made prisoners and confined on board a British 
man-of-war about seven months ; submitting to 
treatment, during a portion of that time, the most 
painful and degrading. But being a man of strong 
mind and active disposition, my father bore his 
sufferings with manly fortitude, until himself and 
crew were exchanged for English prisoners. On 
their way to the United States, they were re¬ 
captured by an English vessel; and while at 
anchor off the eastern coast of North Carolina, 
he and another brave spirit, at the hazard of their 
1 # 



6 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


lives, let themselves down by the sides of the ship 
into a small boat, and made their way for the 
shore, which was a few hundred yards distance. 
Their attempted escape being discovered on board, 
a volley of musketry was fired after them, but 
without taking effect. At length they again suc¬ 
ceeded in landing upon the shore of their beloved 
country. Without money or food, and with 
clothing barely sufficient to cover their nakedness, 
they set out for the port of Norfolk, a distance of 
several hundred miles through the woods. Sub¬ 
sisting all the time on nuts and acorns, with the 
cold, damp earth for their bed, and the canopy of 
the heavens for their covering, at length, after 
seven days of suffering and toil, they arrived at 
their destined port, and took passage on board a 
vessel bound for New York, where, after a few 
days’ sail, they arrived in safety. Immediately 
on their arrival, notwithstanding their previous 
deprivations and sufferings, stung by the wrongs 
of themselves and their beloved country, they 
entered the Sea Fencibte service, where they 
remained during the war, with honor to them¬ 
selves, to their country, and to their posterity. 

At the close of the war, my parents removed 
with their family to Tompkinsville, Staten Island, 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


7 


where nothing remarkable occurred until about 
one year after our removal. While I was playing 
one day in front of our house, I came in contact 
with a huge bear, which had been brought from 
on board a vessel, and chained close to the door. 
On approaching his bearship, he seated himself 
upon the ground, caught me up in his fore paws, 
and gave me such a loving squeeze, that the ef¬ 
fect had well nigh terminated my existence before 
my mother made the discovery. Her screams 
brought to my rescue the keeper of the bear, who 
succeeded in saving my life. 

At the age of five years I commenced my stud¬ 
ies at school. Being fond of books, I made rapid 
progress in my juvenile studies, and soon began 
to entwine myself round the heart of my fond 
mother, and became the hope of an indulgent 
father. 

Nothing remarkable occurred until I had ar¬ 
rived at the age of ten years, or thereabouts. My 
father happening to be absent from home on 
business in city, during the winter, about mid¬ 
night, a gentleman residing about half a mile from 
my fathers house, arose from his bed and looked 
out of the window, in the direction of our domi¬ 
cil, and discovered a great light. He immedi- 


S THIRTY-TWO years of the 

ately slipped on his clothes, and repaired to the 
spot. On his arrival, to his astonishment, he 
found the back piazza all on fire, together with a 
large quantity of wood which had been sawed up 
and piled underneath it. He broke open the door 
of the house, and found my mother and five chil¬ 
dren wrapped in silent slumber. On awaking us, 
we seized our clothes and rushed out of doors, 
into the snow, which was more than a foot deep, 
without waiting to remove any of our furniture. 
He aroused a neighbor who resided in the next 
house, and by their united exertions, they suc¬ 
ceeded in arresting and extinguishing the devour¬ 
ing element. On examining the premises, we 
found the fire had reached to within a foot of the 
place where we were sleeping ; and had it not 
been for the timely discovery of Mrv Braisted, 
our destiny for time would have been forever 
sealed : hut thanks to an overruling Providence 
for the merciful preservation of our lives. 

A short time after this, being fond of sport as 
well as literature, J procured a piece of twine, 
lead, and fish-hooks, and repaired to the end of a 
long dock, commonly known as the steamboat 
landing, seated myself on the string piece, with 
my legs hanging over the water, and commenced 


LIFE OF AN ADVF.NTURER. 


9 


learning the art of angling. The attention of the 
fish was soon attracted to the bait, one or more 
of them gave a glorious nibble, I instantly 
answered the call by a tremendous jerk of the 
line, when, losing my equilibrium, 1 tumbled 
headlong into the water. Struggling for some 
time with the element, but not being able to swim, 
J had gone down for the last time, when a man 
rushed up from the cabin of his vessel, which 
was made fast to the dock, and missing me, with¬ 
out any further ceremony, he plunged headlong 
into the river, and after surveying the watery 
premises for a moment, at length discovered my 
whereabouts, at a distance of twenty-five feet 
below the surface, seized me by the hair of the 
head, brought me up, elevated my head above the 
water, and, by the assistance of another indivi¬ 
dual, soon placed my feet upon terra forma , when 
he addressed me as follows: u Now, you young 
scamp, cut for home.” I immediately, without 
thanking him for salvation from a watery grave, 
set my legs in motion, and in a short time arrived 
at home, where the necessary appliances were 
made use of to extract the water from my stom¬ 
ach ; and with returning reflection came a feeling 
of complete satisfaction with the proficiency I 


10 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


had acquired in the art of angling, and a thorough 
conviction of the necessity of ever afterwards 
preserving an equilibrium. 

My first act of disobedience to my parents, 
within my recollection, occurred on a Sabbath- 
day, when I w'as about eleven years of age. A 
party of pleasure had arranged to go on a fishing 
excursion, and my eldest brother and myself asked 
my father’s permission to go, which he positively 
refused. We persisted in our determination and 
went; and, on our return home, were severely 
punished by my father ; in connection with which 
he delivered us a long and pathetic lecture on the 
consequences of Sabbath-breaking, and disobedi¬ 
ence to his parental authority, which lecture made 
a more lasting impression upon our minds than 
the flogging we received upon our backs. Hav¬ 
ing been brought up to attend Sabbath-school, 
and the instruction of religious teachers, my mind 
was early impressed with the importance of re¬ 
ligion. In company with a young friend and 
associate of my infant days, at or about the age 
of twelve years, we were swinging on a scup 
which was attached to two poplar trees, and while 
performing various feats we were precipitated to 
the ground, I falling upon my head ; from which 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER, 


11 


fall I sustained considerable injury. My mind 
for some time dwelt upon death and its conse¬ 
quences, believing, as I did, in the doctrine of 
future rewards and punishments, I felt if I died 
in my sinful state, I should certainly be doomed 
to everlasting misery, which filled my mind for 
some time with dreadful forebodings of the future ; 
but in a short time I recovered from the injury I 
had sustained from the fall, and my serious im¬ 
pressions gradually wore away on renewing asso¬ 
ciation with my young companions. 

At this time I determined on having another 
fishing excursion ; accordingly, a number of us 
young boys procured a small boat, and bent our 
course for Robin’s Reef, a distance of about four 
miles from our homes. We arrived at the point 
in safety, and after hours spent in the vain hope 
of obtaining even a u bite,” we concluded to 
weigh anchor; when the wind commenced blow¬ 
ing almost a hurricane. We rowed for the near¬ 
est point of land, and on nearing Bergen Point, 
while I was standing up in the boat, by a lurch I 
was suddenly precipitated again into the briny 
element. I made my way for the shore, which 
I succeeded in a very short time in regaining, 
and amused myself, with my young companions, 


12 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


in marking the peculiar mechanical construction 
of swallows’ nests, a large number of which we 
found built in the bank, while my clothes were 
laid upon the rock, to dry in the sun, whose genial 
rays soon restored them to a wearable condition. 
While the sun was retiring to the west, the wind 
suddenly died away, and we started for home, 
where we in a short time arrived in safety. Hav¬ 
ing toiled all day and caught nothing, 1 came to 
the conclusion to abandon my fishing mania for 
a while, and try the sport of hunting. 

On a beautiful morning, 1 set out with my 
father on a hunting excursion, at a time of the 
year when Na ure had clothed the trees of the 
forest with verdant beauty, and the feathered 
songsters uttered their shrill notes of music, which 
fell delightfully upon the ear,—all calculated to 
soften the heart with sympathy, and excite the 
organ of sublimity, at the same time filling the 
mind with a reverential awe toward God, the 
giver of every good and perfect gift. I could not 
help upbraiding my father at this time, for slaying 
the little birds, whose voices uttered such melo¬ 
dious sounds ; but his feelings of sympathy had 
become blunted by age and other circumstances, 
and my reproof was little heeded. He, however, 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


13 


gave me to understand that God had provided 
them for the sustenance of mankind, and that it 
was his duty, as well as a great privilege, to 
destroy the little unoffending creatures, and pre¬ 
pare them for food. His instructions had a ten¬ 
dency, in a very short time, to bring my organ of 
destructiveness into requisition ; so that, in a very 
little while, I could take away the life of the 
little innocent creatures without feeling a particle 
of sympathy. After the sports of the day were 
about over, my father suggested the propriety of 
my learning how to shoot. He accordingly placed 
a mark on a tree, handed the gun to me (enjoin¬ 
ing upon me to hold it tight to my shoulder), and 
told me to take correct aim and fire ; which I 
accordingly did, when, to my chagrin and morti¬ 
fication, I found myself sprawling upon the 
ground, and the gun several feet behind me* I 
immediately rose upon my feet, and walked to 
the spot to see the effect of the charge, when, to 
my agreeable surprise, I found I had filled the 
mark with shot. This circumstance tended to 
relieve the pain under which my shoulder was 
smarting, the effect of the “kick” which I had 
received from the gun. My father reloaded, and 
advised me to try again ; which I did with great 
2 


14 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS 07 THE 


success, being able this time to keep my equili¬ 
brium. I now found I had gained a great victory, 
and delighted myself with the thought that I 
should find great amusement with the use of the 
gun during my leisure hours, which anticipations 
were afterwards fully realized. 

Having now nearly completed my education, 
my father questioned me with reference to my 
future prospects, and manifested a great desire to 
know what calling or profession I had fixed upon 
for a livelihood. I told him 1 was rather unde¬ 
cided whether to select the profession of an artist 
(having made great proficiency in the art of draw¬ 
ing and painting), or choose the mercantile life. 
He and my fond mother thought 1 should, in all 
probability, become very eminent as an artist j 
but after thoroughly canvassing the matter in my 
own mind, I came to the conclusion that this 
profession was too humble an occupation for an 
individual of so much importance as I felt myself 
at this time ; having had the organ of self-esteem 
pampered by my parents, who set greater store by 
me than any of their children ; which indulgence 
caused them, in after life, to weep bitter tears 
over tbeir own folly. I accordingly told my 
father that I should choose the mercantile life, to 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


15 


which choice I readily assented, when I set about 
making the necessary preparations for so import¬ 
ant a calling, not forgetting, at the same time, to 
indulge in my youthful sports of fishing and hunt¬ 
ing whenever an opportunity offered. At length 
my honored and distinguished tutor pronounced 
me fully competent to take charge of a sett of 
books. My father deeming a collegiate course of 
studies unnecessary for the calling I had chosen, 
removed me from school, and, through the advice 
of my uncle, placed me in a situation with an 
extensive importer of foreign coals, whose office 
was located in Nassau-street, city of New York. 

I now found I was deprived of all my favorite 
employments, and obliged to remain in the office 
from morning till night, except when I was sent 
out to collect bills, or transact any other business 
for my employer, who was a very humane and 
feeling man, and a thorough scholar. He also 
had a very interesting and motherly lady for his 
wife, together with a large and interesting family 
of children. 1 boarded in the family with them 
during my stay, which was very brief, and tried 
to make myself satisfied with my lot; but as I 
grew older I grew more restless and w T avering in 
my disposition. About three months after I en- 


16 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


gaged in my present occupation, my employer, 
through speculations in real estate and a very ex¬ 
tended business, failed, and became a very poor 
man. I was accordingly sent home to my parents, 
which change was very desirable on my part, as 
I had not been weaned from my favorite sports ot 
fishing and hunting. I spent the hours allotted to 
me, while residing with my parents at this time, 
in these sports, and also in other amusements, 
with little or no interruption. At length my uncle 
came from the city, and informed my father that 
he had obtained a situation for me in a grocery 
store in the city of Brooklyn ; which intelligence, 
lean assure the reader, was received by me with 
no degree of pleasure. I entered upon my new 
duties, and boarded with Mr. Stacey, the junior 
partner of the firm. They owned lighters and 
water boats, and sold rum out of the store ; through 
which circumstances 1 was necessarily surround¬ 
ed by a class of loathsome, degraded drunkards, 
whose example had a pernicious influence on my 
mind, and induced me to partake freety of the 
intoxicating cup. 1 might here offer some 
palliating excuse for drinking myself, as it was 
then a general practice for almost every man, 
woman, and child in the United States to drink 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


17 


more or less of the accursed poison ; and it was 
generally kept in the houses of both the rich 
and the poor, to treat their friends with when they 
called in to see them. Between rum and avarice, 
the partners became dissatisfied with each other 
in a very short time after I engaged with them, 
and the place was soon rendered a scene of con¬ 
tention and drunken broils, all of which circum¬ 
stances had a tendency to blunt the fine feelings 
I possessed in my school-boy days. In about 
three months from the time I had engaged in this 
unholy calling, while sitting one morning on the 
store stoop, I was suddenly seized with a fit, 
which was, no doubt, brought on by indulging in 
the too frequent use of ardent spirits. I was im¬ 
mediately placed upon a bed, where, during the 
day, I had about forty of them, which came very 
near destroying me. My father and uncle were 
immediately sent for, who came, and on consult¬ 
ation, concluded to remove me forthwith to my 
home in the quiet village of Tompkinsville, where 
I lay sick for some time, without ever revealing 
to my parents the cause of my illness. After I 
recovered from my sickness, I began to take a 
retrospective view of the past, and came to the 
conclusion that there was very little certainty of 
2 * 


18 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


success in mercantile pursuits. I therefore de¬ 
termined, with the consent of my father, to learn 
a trade, and forthwith engaged with R. Branting- 
ham, to learn the art and mystery of making sad¬ 
dles and harness. Being the only apprentice, I 
of course had a good chance to acquire a know¬ 
ledge of the trade, and did make very great pro¬ 
ficiency in a very short time. My u boss” being 
a single man, it was fixed upon that I should 
board with my parents, which I did for about one 
year; and through the generosity of my father, 
1 received most of the board money, which I 
spent in clothing and other things ; but this had 
a very great tendency to increase my pride and 
make me profligate in my expenditures. I also 
formed a great attachment for attending balls ; 
and, by means of a secret passage, I had access 
to my father’s house at any time of the night, 
without disturbing my parents. At length my 
father became alarmed about my morals, insti¬ 
tuted some inquiry about my getting into the 
house, and, on learning the secret, before I was 
aware of his intention, closed up the secret pas¬ 
sage, and placed an injunction upon eaah member 
of the family not to allow me to enter the house 
through their means, under any circumstances. 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


19 


One night I went to a ball, and when the festivi¬ 
ties were nearly over I bent my course homeward ; 
and on trying to get into the house, I found the 
secret passage was closed. Here I was com¬ 
pletely nonplused. What to do I did not know. 
At length I went round to the front part of the 
house, took the mat from the front stoop, and, 
returning again to the rear, laid myself down in 
the private house. The weather being extremely 
cold, I could not remain in that position long, so 
I arose from my unpleasant couch, and made my 
way into the street, determined to spend the re¬ 
maining portion of the night in walking ; but, 
being somewhat sleepy and tired, I was soon in¬ 
duced to alter my mind, and accordingly went 
back to the hotel, where I found a number ot 
young men drinking and carousing, singing songs, 
&c. I joined in with them, and soon lost all self- 
respect. Becoming somewhat intoxicated, I com¬ 
menced blaming my father for locking me out of 
the house, when three young men, such as I would 
not associate with on ordinary occasions, stepped 
forward and tendered their hospitality, inviting 
me to go home with them and sleep, which invi¬ 
tation 1 cordially accepted. We were soon, all 
four of us, huddled into bed together, like pigs in 


20 


THIRTY*TWO YEARS OF TllE 


a stye. On awaking at daylight, with a fevered 
brain, I determined to abandon all revelry for a 
time, and informed my father, on my return home, 
of the good resolution I had formed, when he 
expressed himself perfectly happy on learning 
my determination to reform. For a short time, 
I conducted myself with propriety, hut w r as not 
long destined to remain in quiet repose; during 
an election, the democrats being victorious, they 
kindled a large fire in the street in honor of their 
success, and at the same time indulged freely in 
the use of beer, a large quantity of which w r as 
prepared for the occasion. I, with others, freely 
drank of the beverage until we all began to get 
quite funny, when a number of us repaired to a 
“ rum hole,” and while there, I took up a large 
cheese knife which lay on the counter, and dared 
any one of them to combat with me. At this 
instant, the very man who had saved me from 
drowning (the particulars of which are contained 
in the former part of my narrative) stepped for* 
ward, and, after procuring a knife from a shoe* 
maker w T ho sat next to him, pursued me round 
the counter, and while in the act of fleeing from 
him, in his drunken rage he thrust the knife into 
my left side, which wound the doctor, on exam* 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


21 


ination, pronounced somewhat dangerous, the 
knife having penetrated within one-eighth of an 
inch of my kidney. After the wound was 
dressed, I was carried home and laid upon a bed, 
when my father, instead of sympathizing with me, 
told me that it served me right, while my doting 
mother wept floods of tears over my unfortunate 
and critical situation. She was almost constantly 
at my bedside, soothing the pain under which I 
suffered, and praying that God would spare the 
once-darling boy, who had caused her heart to 
bleed by his disobedient and wayward character. 
Her prayers were speedily answered, and in a few 
weeks I was able to pursue my daily avocations. 

In a short time after this, while on my way 
from New York to Staten Island, on board a 
steamboat, one Sabbath afternoon, in the act of 
leaning over the companion-way, I lost my equi¬ 
librium, and was precipitated into the cabin, my 
head coming in violent contact with the floor. I 
was carried on the deck for dead, and did not ex¬ 
hibit any signs of returning consciousness for 
about an hour afterwards ; but by bleeding, and 
other necessary remedies, I w'as again restored to 
the embrace of my too fond mother. Being now 
nearly fifteen years of age, and growing very im- 


22 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


patient under the restraint of parental authority, 
I determined to procure another boarding-house, 
which 1 accordingly did, with Mrs. G. Reed, a 
widow lady, w T ho resided a short distance from my 
father’s house. Now in my new domicil, I) be¬ 
gan to concoct new schemes for pleasure and re¬ 
creation ; and having made an arrangement with 
the servant girl to admit me, upon knocking, at 
any time of the night, I w r as enabled fully to 
satiate my appetite for pleasure, until I had drained 
the cup to its very dregs. At length, one Sab¬ 
bath afternoon, while sporting with some of my 
young companions, on the top of a high hill, near 
the pavilion, we were suddenly surprised by the 
intelligence that a man named Degroot had hung 
himself. We immediately proceeded to the spot, 
and found him still hanging. On approaching 
him, I jocularly remarked, that the old fellow had 
been careful to provide himself with a chew of 
tobacco, of enormous dimensions, which, in the 
act of strangulation, he had clenched between his 
teeth; bnt, on examination, it was found to be 
his tongue. Never shall I forget the circumstance, 
while I have a being, and the light manner in 
which I treated it at the time the coroner andjjury 
were holding an inquest over the body. On the 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


23 


evening of the same day, while passing to the 
house of my aunt, my mind Was suddenly brought 
into a train of reflection, induced, no doubt, by 
the sight of the self-murderer. I began to con¬ 
jecture the cause of his having so suddemly de¬ 
prived himself of existence, and the probable 
consequence of the rash act. No cause could be 
assigned, surrounded as he was by an interesting 
wife and six lovely children, placed above the 
fear of want, having amassed wealth to the 
amount of about six thousand dollars, sober and 
industrious in his habits, and moral in his outward 
deportment. 1 was forced to believe he had been 
driven to despair in the absence of hope of eternal 
happiness. These reflections, coupled with the 
sadness of the evening, caused me to feel very 
serious. I went, with my mother and aunt, to 
hear the Rev. Mr. Maclay, a Baptist minister from 
New York, preach a sermon on the importance 
of becoming a Christian, which caused me more 
seriously to reflect upon my past life. I went to 
my boarding-house with a heavy heart, and on 
retiring to rest, found that I could not sleep. The 
past, present, and future occupied my mind during 
the night, and I could not swallow my breakfast 
when it was set before me in the morning. For 


24 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


three or four days I continued to magnify my sins 
in my mind, and a sadness marked my deport¬ 
ment, so that I became an object of notice among 
the more serious portion of the community. At 
length an old Presbyterian elder, who boarded in 
the house with me, inquired the cause of my sad¬ 
ness. I told him I had been a very great sinner 
against God, and had despised the gentle reproof 
of my fond and doting parents ; and that 1 believed 
God would doom my soul to eternal perdition. In 
his usual kind and tender manner, he tried to point 
me to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the 
sin of the world ; assuring me, at the same time, 
that God was willing to pardon the vilest of the 
vile. I told him 1 had sinned so long, that my 
sins were too great to be forgiven—that I was 
driven to despair, and tempted to deprive myself 
of existence. He begged me, for God’s sake, not 
to think of committing the rash act, and invited 
me to sleep with him on that night, which I did. 
On the following day he had an interview with 
my mother, and told her the peculiar condition of 
my mind, when she sent for me to come home on 
that evening, as she wished to converse with me. 
Shame and guilt would have prevented me from 
going ; but the agony of my mind was so great, 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


25 


that I thought if I could only unfold to her the 
burthen of my guilt, I should, in some measure, 
be relieved from the great weight which rested 
on my conscience. 

On my arrival at home, my father, brothers, 
and sisters retired to rest, and left me alone with 
my mother. She commenced conversation im¬ 
mediately—inquired into the state of my mind, 
tried to console me by quoting passages of Scrip¬ 
ture, pointing me to Christ as the only means by 
which salvation might be obtained, and wound up 
by a solemn and pathetic prayer to God, that he 
would, for Jesus’ sake, pardon my sins. On 
arising, she said, u Oh ! my son, I hope you will 
now give your heart to God, and devote the 
remnant of your days to his service ; as faithfullly, 
at least, as you have devoted these last few years 
to serving the devil.” My heart being too full 
for utterance, 1 retired to my boarding-house 
without making any reply to her. For six weeks 
I remained in that awful state of despair, closely 
watched by my mother, and prayed for by the 
more spiritual portion of the church to which she 
had the privilege of being attached. One beau¬ 
tiful Sabbatji morning, 1 repaired with my mother 
to church, a distance of two miles and a half from 

3 


26 


TttlfcTY-TWO YEAkS OY TH12 


home. Cast down and sad I entered its sacred 
inclosure. The minister, the Rev. A. R. Martin* 
after giving out a hymn, offering up a solemn and 
fervent prayer to God in behalf of poor sinners, 
and then giving out another hymn, which was 
sung by the congregation, took his text from the 
Song of Solomon, iih, 9, 10, “ King Solomon 
made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. 
He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom 
thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the 
midst thereof being paved with love for the daugh¬ 
ters of Jerusalem.” While he was expatiating 
on the Churches tight and victory in temptation, 
and Christ’s love for repenting sinners, my soul 
was suddenly relieved from the burthen of guilt, 
the weight of which had nearly overwhelmed 
me. The sudden transition from sorrow to joy 
was so great, that I could not tell whetherjl was 
in the body or out of it for some moments ; and 
I could hardly help shouting, “Glory to God in 
the highest/’ for the wonderful change which had 
been wrought in my mind at this time. On closing 
the services by singing a hymn, 1 joined in with 
them in praising God, with a voice so loud, and a 
countenance so happy, that it was immediately 
perceived by all present. On pronouncing the 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


27 


benediction, the man of God came down the steps 
of the pulpit, took me by the hand, and inquired 
into the state of my mind. I told him I was per¬ 
fectly happy, and that God, for Christ’s sake, had 
forgiven my sins. He told the brethren and sis¬ 
ters present what had taken place, when they 
wept tears of joy, and joined with the holy angels 
in rejoicing over a repenting prodigal. My dear 
mother was so happy that it seemed almost, for 
a time, as though her soul would quit its cumber¬ 
some clay, and flee away to mansions in the skies. 
During the course of that week, I was waited 
upon by the Rev. A. R. Martin, who conversed 
with me freely about my former course of life, 
my past and present views of the doctrines of the 
gospel, and what course I intended to pursue in 
the future. I freely related to him my experience, 
expressed my firm hope of a blessed immortality, 
and assured him that my firm determination was 
to live for Christ and his cause. I also told him 
that 1 had come to the conclusion to join his 
church, providing the brethren should be satisfied 
with a relation of my Christian experience, and 
expressed my ardent desire to follow my Saviour, 
in obedience to his commands, in baptism. He 
then most affectionately invited me to appear be- 


28 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


fore the church on the following Sabbath ; which 
I accordingly did, and told the brethren and sisters 
my simple and child-like tale, spoke of the won¬ 
drous grace of God in saving a wretch so vile as 
I was, and stated my determination to offer my¬ 
self up as a living sacrifice, which I trusted would 
be holy and acceptable to God. My simple nar¬ 
rative affected every one present, so that there 
was not a dry eye in the house. On retiring to 
await the decision of the church, I had my fears 
that they would not receive one so unworthy as 
I felt myself to be at this time ; but was com¬ 
pletely overjoyed, on being called in, to hear the 
announcement that the church had unanimously' 
received me for baptism. 

The time being fixed for the administration of 
this solemn ordinance, on the next Sabbath, at 
the Quarantine Ground, and all the preliminary 
arrangements having been made, the fact was very 
generally circulated, which had a tendency to 
bring together a large concourse of people, many 
of whom w r ere my young associates in sin. The 
day being somewhat cloudy, and the ceremony 
impressive, it induced a great solemnity to per¬ 
vade the minds of the listening and attentive 
spectators, many of whom were members of 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


29 


churches of other denominations. Never while 
I have a being will I forget the feelings of my 
soul on this solemn occasion. Surrounded as I 
was by many of my former associates, with whom 
I had spent my shool-boy days, and indulged in 
many youthful sports, my soul was filled with 
emotions too intense for pen to describe. Look¬ 
ing back on the past, with my mind filled with 
joy and sorrow, I thought to myself, “ Oh ! my 
young friends, could I lead you to Jesus, where 
you could find pleasure without alloy, how happy 
should I be !” All these reflections, coupled 
with the responsibility which I felt was attached 
to me, filled my mind with solemn fear and awe 
lest I should not adorn the doctrine of God my 
Saviour by a well-ordered life and godly con¬ 
versation. 

I gave myself up to secret devotion and prayer 
to my Heavenly Father during the week, that 
he would guide me by his unerring wisdom, and 
that I might not be permitted to wound his cause 
by any unholy act. On the following Sabbath, 
the pastor, on behalf of the church, extended to 
me the right-hand of fellowship, when I sat down 
to partake of the elements of Christ’s broken 
body and shed blood. Oh ! how sweet I then 
3* 


30 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


found it to commune with the people of God !— 
I felt that I would not return to the beggarly 
elements of the world, even could I become pos¬ 
sessor of the whole realm of nature. From this 
time, for about three months, I remained perfectly 
happy ; ^hen, from some cause, my mind, for a 
short time, was filled with doubts, fearing that my 
hopes were vain and delusive ; but I soon found 
the promise of the Saviour verified—that he will 
turn none empty away who come unto him in 
sincerity and truth. Let me urge you, my kind 
reader, if you are placed in like circumstances, to 
keep close to the feet of Jesus ; and by a humble 
appeal to God, through him, you need fear no 
fall. 

About this time, my mind became seriously 
occupied with a desire to preach the gospel ; and 
after relating my impressions to rny beloved pas¬ 
tor and his consort (the latter of whom I shall 
have occasion to mention frequently) they replied, 
that if God had a special work for me to perform, 
he would grant me more grace and wisdom, to 
qualify me for the important undertaking. I con¬ 
tinued to pray for more grace and wisdom, that I 
might have a proper understanding of the Scrip¬ 
tures, and be enabled to hold up a crucified Sa- 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


31 


viour in such a way, that I might be instrumental 
in winning poor sinners to God. My prayer was 
answered ; for, if I did not deceive myself, I con¬ 
tinued to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of 
the truth, for about a year from the time I set out 
in the divine life. 

At length I began to mark the careless manner 
of life of many of the old members of the church; 
who, at one time at least, seemed to have the form 
of godliness, but now, by their unholy lives, 
seemed to deny the power thereof. These pow¬ 
erful circumstances had a pernicious influence on 
my mind; in consequence of which, I began to 
neglect my devotional duties, and, in a little while, 
I was filled with doubts about the reality of the 
Christian religion. Shrouded in darkness and 
gloom, I fell into a desponding state of mind, 
which affected my brain and internal organs ; and, 
in a very short time, I became very troublesome 
to my employer, and also to my friends. I would 
sometimes refuse to labor; and, in one instance, 
went off, in a fit of anger, into the country, and 
remained one entire week, which occasioned him 
to use severity towards me. I continued to grow 
restless and dissatisfied, until, at length, my father 
was prevailed upon to break my indentures, when 


32 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


I was set at liberty, and fell upon my parents 
again for support. Having now served about 
two years and three months at my trade, and dur¬ 
ing that time made Fapid progress in learning it, 
I flattered myself that I was fully competent to 
set out as a journeyman ; I accordingly went to 
Newark, in New Jersey, and engaged with Messrs, 
Carter and Mitchell, under instructions, for a short 
time, they allowing me moderate wages. I had 
not been there more than one week, when an 
accident occurred to me, by which I came well 
nigh losing my life. Being in the store of an 
acquaintance one evening, I suddenly determined 
to go to a Baptist prayer-meeting, and immedi¬ 
ately left the store with that purpose. It being 
very dark, and not suspecting there was any 
danger in the way, in attempting to cross the 
street, I was suddenly precipitated into a supple¬ 
ment of the canal, falling on my head a distance 
©f about ten feet. How I got out of the place I 
cannot tell, as I was rendered totally insensible by 
the fall for some time ; but finally, after great ex¬ 
ertions on the part of the surgeon who dressed 
my wound, I was restored to a state of conscious¬ 
ness. As soon as I was able to go out, I hired a 
horse and saddle, and set out for home, by way 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


33 


of Elizabethtown Point; on arriving at which 
place I had the horse put into the stable, and took 
the steamboat for Staten Island. After arriving 
at Port Richmond, a distance of five miles from 
my father’s house, I set out on foot, and in a short 
time arrived home ; where I remained for about 
two days, and then I concluded to return by 
the same route which I came. On arriving at 
Elizabethtown Point, I procured my horse and 
set out for Newark ; and on my way thither, two 
young bloods came riding past in a gig, when one 
of them struck my horse with a whip, and he 
started off* with tremendous fury. Being rather 
an inexperienced rider, I found it very difficult to 
hold him, and on suddenly reining him up tovrard 
a stone fence, 1 lost my balance and fell off*. One 
of my feet caught in the stirrup, and while in 
this situation, I was dragged for some distance 
•along the ground, thereby bruising my face and 
body very much, and tearing my coat nearly all 
off* my back. My horse left me behind, to make 
the rest of my way on foot, in a crippled condi¬ 
tion After some time of pain and toil I suc¬ 
ceeded in gaining the residence of my employer, 
who was very much startled at my wretched 
appearance : but, like the good Samaritan, he 



34 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


applied the healing balm to my wounds, which 
soon restored my body, but left my mind in a 
shattered condition. As soon as I was able to 
walk, I proceeded to Elizabethtown on foot, and 
went to the store of an old acquaintance, and 
purchased some “ Yankee notions,” to the amount 
of about thirty dollars, and gave him an order on 
my father for the money. I then proceeded back 
to Newark, and soon squandered the few little 
u notions ” I had purchased. I remained there a 
few days, and worked at my trade ; but growing 
more nervous and restless all the while, I came 
to the conclusion to quit and go home. I started 
on foot, without a cent in my pocket; and on 
arriving at the point, fatigued and hungry, I called: 
at the house of the captain of the steamboat, who 
generously offered me the hospitalities of the 
table, and gave me a free passage to Staten Island. 
On arriving home, after a few hours’ w?alk, my 
mother was suddenly startled at my haggard 
countenance and forlorn appearance ; but ever 
ready to bestow’ her sympathy on her poor boy, like 
the father of the prodigal mentioned in Scripture) 

“ She saw me coming back— 

She saw, and ran and smiled, 

And threw her arms about the neck 
Of hex rebellious -child t”— 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


35 


Exclaiming, at the same time, u Oh ! my son ! 
my son ! do you mean to break my heart, and 
bring my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave ?” 
For a moment I remained speechless ; but my 
heart being moved by the expression, I burst out 
in a flood of tears, and exclaimed, “ Oh ! my 
mother! my mother! I love you: but I can* 
not help it.” On my father’s return home in 
the evening, my doting mother met him, and 
begged that he would pity his unfortunate son, 
whom she had every reason to believe insane. 
On the next morning he procured a lock, and 
putting it on an upper room door*, told me that he 
wished me to occupy that room, where he had 
placed my library, and a box of water color 
paints and pencil brushes, together with pen, ink, 
and paper. On entering the room, to inspect its 
arrangement, my father immediately turned the 
key on the outside, and kept me a prisoner for 
nearly a week, during which time I amused my¬ 
self by reading and drawing. I Anally determined 
not to remain longer a captive; and accordingly 
got out through the dormant window, passed over 
the roof to the back part of the house, got into 
the back dormant window, slipped down stairs, 
and stole out of the house unperceived. I then 


30 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


made my way to my father’s barn ; and with the 
aid of some tools which I borrowed on the way, 
cut a large hole in the roof, with the intention of 
erecting a windmill. My father having occasion 
to go to my room, w'as much surprised, on open¬ 
ing the door, to find I had fled. He immediately 
pursued me, and was informed that I was at work 
on the roof of the barn. I did not notice his 
approach, as my mind was so intensely bent on 
my work. He called to me to come down, which 
I did, and received a gentle cuff on the ear, and was 
marched home to occupy my former prison. On 
entering it, I found that he had secured the win¬ 
dow in such a manner that it would be impossible 
for me again to make my escape by that outlet. 
I therefore tried to make up my mind to be con¬ 
tented with my solitary place, seated myself be¬ 
fore the looking-glass, drew my own likeness, 
painted it to imitate life, and sent it down to my 
mother, who, on inspecting it, pronounced it to 
be a very good one. The labors of the day 
being over, I lay down to rest, and soon fell asleep. 
On aw'aking in the morning, my mind was aroused 
by a new idea—that I was yet to become a great 
genius ! I immediately set myself about making 
preparations to verify my designs. After search* 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


37 


ing about my room for some time, I found a piece 
of chalk, and commenced drawing a design of a 
steam railroad car upon the floor, having never 
seen one, nor even heard a description of it. My 
father entered the room during the course of the 
day, and on casting his eyes to the floor, beheld 
there the productions of my genius. After ex¬ 
pressing his surprise about my perceptions, I told 
him that I was destined yet to become a great 
man ; when he replied, “ Yes, you will become 
either a great man or a devil.” I contented my¬ 
self in my solitary chamber for a few days, and 
during that time I destroyed a number of my books 
in endeavoring to ascertain the art and mystery 
of bookbinding. At length, growing weary of 
confinement, I came to the determination to make 
my escape from the room ; and picking up an old 
corset board which I found in my room, I com¬ 
menced my attempt to thrust back the bolt of the 
lock attached to the room door, which soon yielded 
to my superior powers. On passing down stairs, 
I snatched up my gun, which had afforded me so 
much sport in my youth, and passing out of the 
house, proceeded to the shop of a wheelwright 
and blacksmith close by, and there I completely 
destroyed the beautiful little fowling-piece, so 
4 


38 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS Of THE 


that it never could be used afterwards. My 
father came to the shop, took me by the arm, and 
marching me down to the hospital, had me con¬ 
fined to the jail. On the bolts being turned on 
the outside of the door, I began to rave like a 
madman ; and picking up a large stick of wood7 
I threatened to tear down the walls of my cell, 
which I thought I could do as easily as Joshua 
and his host battered down the walls of Jericho. 
Finding me determined to put my threats into 
execution, they opened the door, when I became* 
in a short time, quite passive ; and then assured 
Dr. Hitchcock and the prison-keeper, if they 
would not again turn the bolts against me, that i 
would be contented to remain there, but not as a 
prisoner. Being disposed to gratify my wishes, 
they left the doors unbolted ; and, at my solicita^ 
tion, supplied me with a medical work, that I 
might not be crossed in any of my desires, having 
previously assured the doctor of my determina¬ 
tion to become a physician. While I remained 
in the hospital, I devoted most of my time to 
study, and would occasionally pass through with 
the doctor, examining the legs of the old sailors, 
and making remarks and gestures, until you might 
suppose (if you did not know the peculiar state 1 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


39 


of my mind) that I had become proficient in the 
healing art. But my mind was not destined to 
remain long undisturbed ; for, one evening, in 
passing through the kitchen of the hospital, I 
commenced making love to the cook; and while 
in the act of kissing and hugging her, the hus¬ 
band came in and caught us. He became very 
much exasperated, and dealt a blow at me, which 
struck me on the nose and felled me to the floor. 

This circumstance filled my mind with rage ; 
and stepping on the outside of the first gate, I 
there remained a short time, lying in wait for him, 
determined in my own mind on having revenge. 
In a few moments he made his appearance, when 
I immediately threw off* my coat and challenged 
him to combat, which challenge he did not accept, 
when my mind became maddened with rage, and 
I would in all probability have killed him, had it 
not been for the interference of three gentlemen 
present, who seized hold of me, and conducted 
me into the cell. On thrusting me in, I gave the 
door a tremendous kick with my foot, which 
caused it to separate from the casement and fall 
to the floor. By this time a large number of per¬ 
sons had collected together, some to laugh, and 
others to pity me for the wreck of mind. Among 


40 


HIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


the number, my disconsolate father made his ap¬ 
pearance, accompanied by two physicians, who 
pronounced me totally deranged, and ordered me 
to be placed in a strait-jacket immediately, which 
order was promptly obeyed, when I was laid 
down upon a mattress, as straight and as stiff as 
a liberty-pole. Two competent watchers volun¬ 
teered their services to remain with me during 
the night, when the rest of the party dispersed. 
During the night, I raved and thundered my ana¬ 
themas against my enemies, who I thought w r ere 
very cruel in confining me in the manner they 
did. On the morning of the next day I was re¬ 
lieved from my unpleasant predicament by the 
strait jacket being removed. During the day, 
my father called and took me to a tailor’s shop, 
and fitted me out w r ith a new suit of clothes; in¬ 
forming me, at the same time, of his determina¬ 
tion to send me out into the country to board on 
the following morning. On my return, 1 was met 
by Major Dixon, who told me that it w r as his in¬ 
tention to accompany me into the country, and 
stated that the building where I was to reside for 
a short time was one of magnificent construction, 
connected with which there was a large amount 
of machinery, on which I should no doubt be able 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


41 


to make considerable improvement. Delighted 
with the idea, I spent the night in a state of 
ecstacy, and on the following morning he drove 
up to the door with a fine span of horses, and, 
my baggage in the carriage, inquired if I was 
ready to go, and invited me to jump in, which I 
immediately complied with. My mind was so 
intensely taken up with my prospects, that I for¬ 
got to bid my friends good bye. We immediately 
drove on board the steamboat bound for New 
York. On our arrival at this place we drove up 
Broadway to Fulton-street, turned the corner, and 
stopped for a few moments at the Shakespeare 
Hotel, where we refreshed ourselves with a good 
glass of wine and a segar. Everything being 
ready, we again set out, passed up Chatham-street 
and Bowery, and were soon on the Bloomingdale 
road. On reaching the building previously alluded 
to by the gentleman, he suddenly exclaimed, 
u What a magnificent palace !” and inquired of 
me how I liked the appearance of the place. 
When I replied, it was just such a place as suited 
my fancy, we rode up to the house and alighted 
from our carriage, and he passed into the building, 
leaving me standing on the stoop. In a few mo¬ 
ments he returned, accompanied by an elderly 
4 * 


42 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


Quaker lady, to whom he gave me an introduc¬ 
tion ; remarking, at the same time, that I was 
going to board with her for a short period. She 
immediately turned round to an attendant, and 
requested him to show me through the building. 
On entering the door of the principal hall of the 
male department, my eye rested on an individual 
who I knew was insane, and the thought imme¬ 
diately crossed my mind that 1 had been trapped, 
and that the building was no other than an asylum 
for the insane. When I fully discovered the fact, 
my grief became inconsolable for a short time. 
On being invited to sit down and eat my dinner 
in a small room alone, I found, on inquiry, that 
the new patients were not permitted to use a 
knife and fork ; consequently, I was obliged to 
eat with a spoon, which I found, just at that 
moment, was a great deprivation, as I would, no 
doubt, have cut my throat while smarting under 
the disappointment; but my rage soon subsided 
on being introduced to an old Baptist gentleman, 
who, I ascertained on inquiry, w as a keeper in 
the upper hall. I was immediately placed under 
his kind care and protection during my stay in 
the institution. The next day I was visited by 
the resident physician, w r ho, on examination, pro- 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


43 


nounced my disease an inflammation of the liver, 
and I was placed under medical treatment,through 
which I began rapidly to recover ; and in a few 
days I was permitted to walk out with my keeper, 
and ride out in the carriage with the lunatics. We 
had a deer park and ten-pin alley connected with 
the institution, and consequently found ample 
means for the employment of the mind. My 
keeper having become very much attached to me, 
used frequently to take me out into the bower, 
where»the female lunatics were in the habit of 
resorting in the evening. Here my mind became 
perfectly happy, while associating with those 
angels of mercy—God’s best gift to man—who 
are accustomed to sympathise with us in our sor¬ 
rows, and bear a share of our trials, while travel- 
ins: the down-hill of time. I was exceedingly 
amused with their sweet music, while singing 
some favorite love-song, and also gratified with 
the sallies of their wit and good-humour. Such 
of them as were in the habit of resorting thither 
were quite in a sane state of mind, and would 
often interest us by relating the causes of their 
troubles ; which were, in most cases, brought 
about by being crossed in love, or disappointed by 
some heartless villain. 


44 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


If time and space would permit, I would give 
my kind reader a full account of all that I wit¬ 
nessed while in this asylum ; but I cannot. Suf¬ 
fice it to say, however, that by the mercy of God, 
and the kind treatment I received during my stay, 
I was thoroughly restored to health and right 
mind, but not to the enjoyment of religion. Hav¬ 
ing been there about five weeks, I began to have 
a longing desire for home ; and having some 
smattering knowledge of writing poetry, I sat 
down one beautiful afternoon, and composed the 
following lines on home :— 

How dear to the heart is that hallowed retreat 
Where father, and mother, and children do meet, 

To breathe forth affections a Saviour hath given, 
Around that fair altar devoted to heaven. 

Home, home! sweet, sweet home ! 

There is no place like heaven, for that is my home. 

But when far removed from the friends whom we love. 
As in sickness and sorrow, we mourn like a dove, 

For a blessing from heaven to revive and to cheer, 
When no father, nor mother, nor sister is near. 

Home, home! sweet, sweet home! &c. 

When bereft of our reason, our health, and our friends, 
Kindly near us an angel affection extends: 

Oh ! how it relieves us from troubles and woes. 

When he wipes off the tear that in agony flows 
Home, home ! sweet, sweet home ! &c. 


LITE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


45 


From the cheek of my mother, which I was accustomed 
to kiss,— 

With such ecstacy, too, and afford me such bliss, 

That home of my childhood was rendered more dear, 
When that mother, with father and sister, were near. 

Home, home ! sweet, sweet home ! &c. 

De&r Father in heavea, oh J hallow that home 
Prepared by thy angels, with a blessing to come, 
Through a Saviour so promised—a home in the skies, 
Which the poor always value, and the rich can’t despise. 

Home, home ! sweet, sweet home ! 

There is no place like heaven, for that is my home. 

Preparations were now made for my return 
home ; when I set out with my oldest brother, 
who was sent for me : we arrived in a few hours, 
to the great joy of my parents and kind friends. 
I remained at home a short time, but found a 
difficulty in keeping my mind employed, as I had 
lost the taste I formerly had for fishing and hunt¬ 
ing ; I therefore, by the recommendation of Dr. 
Hitchcock, went to New Brunswick, N. J., and 
engaged with Mr. Voorhees, to work at my trade. 
Not liking the place, I quitted it, and engaged 
with a Mr. Skenck, where I worked for a short 
time and was taken sick ; and my board and doc¬ 
tor’s bill ran up to a considerable amount during 
my illness. On my recovery, I determined to 


46 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS 07 THE 


return home, which I accordingly did, and made 
up my mind, in a very short time, to go to sea, 
and try the life of a sailor. Some of my friends 
proposed to procure a commission from Govern¬ 
ment, for me to enter the navy as a midshipman, 
to which my father objected ; notwithstanding 
which, I came to the city, and hired a boatman 
to row me off to a man of war which was lying 
at anchor off the battery in the North River. I 
remained on board during the remainder of the 
day and night, and messed with the midshipmen. 
On retiring to rest, I was pointed to a hammock, 
into which I was soon snugly ensconced ; but 
during the night I was turned out by its owner, 
who, with an imprecation, asked me what I was 
doing there. After searching about among a 
hundred hammocks for a place wherein to rest 
my weary bones, I was finally obliged to lie down 
upon the softest plank, w r here I reposed during 
the remainder of the night, and woke up in the 
morning with aching bones. As soon as it was 
daylight, I hailed a boatman, and employed him 
to set me on shore, fully satisfied with the know¬ 
ledge I had obtained of the man-of-w r ar service. 
On my return home, my father informed me that 
he had procured me a situation on board the brig 


Llt-E Of AN AlJVENTtffcEft. 


47 


Buenos Ayres, bound for some of the ports in 
South America; but from some cause or other, 
best known to my father, I was not permitted to 
go out with her. In the course of a few days, I 
Was provided with another situation, to go before 
the mast, on board the brig Baltic, bound for the 
West Indies. 

My father provided me with a hammock, mat-* 
tress, and a good stock of sea-clothes; and my 
mother, too, not forgetting her poor boy, furnished 
me with a pot of pickles, and other delicacies 
which sailors do not usually possess. The vessel 
being now ready for sea, I clad myself in sailor ’3 
garb, and cut considerable of a figure, I can assure 
you; although the appearance of my face and 
hands would seem to indicate that I was more fit 
for a profession of a mere delicate nature than that 
which I was about to enter upon. I went on 
board in the dusk of the evening, and we Weighed 
anchor and set sail. After getting under way, 
the captain ordered me up aloft, to loose the top¬ 
gallant sails. I succeded in reaching the foretop, 
but not being very expert in climbing, I could 
not get any further up at this time, when he called 
me a 11 land-lubber,” and ordered me to come 
down, which order I promptly obeyed. The first 


48 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


watch being set, I was ordered to remain on deck, 
whilst the larboard watch went below to repose. 
During this watch, the captain again—being a 
particular friend of my father’s—called me aft, 
and in his peculiar, sailor-like manner, urged me 
to persevere, assuring me that I possessed every 
requisite qualification to make a good sailor. 
Feeling somewhat flattered, I gave him a promise 
that I would do everything that lay in my power 
to acquire a knowledge of seamanship. He then 
ordered me aloft again, to loose the fore-top¬ 
gallant sail and royal, and on making the second 
trial I succeeded to admiration. When I came 
down on the deck, he praised me for my success¬ 
ful exploit, assuring me, at the same time, that I 
was his “noble little sailor-boy.” 

When our watch expired, the captain told me 
to go forward, take the end of a rope, rap upon 
the forecastle, and sing out, “Larboard watch 
ahoy !” which I did in a stentorian tone, when 
the men were soon on deck, and the starboard 
watch went below. We turned in with our 
clothes on, and after thinking of home a few mo¬ 
ments, I fell into the arms of Morpheus. Being 
tired, I slept sweetly for four hours, when 1 was 
suddenly roused by the gruff voice of an old 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


49 


sailor, bawling, in a tone which grated upon my 
ear like thunder, u Starboard watch ahoy !” We 
were on deck in a few minutes, and each man 
resuming his station, w’e were ordered to keep a 
good look-out forward. During four hours, I 
amused myself, the most of the time, in looking 
down by the side of the vessel, and beholding the 
blue and sparkling waters. On again going be¬ 
low into the forecastle, and getting the smell of 
the bilge water, I was suddenly seized with a 
deathly sickness at my stomach, and was obliged 
to hurry upon deck to u cast up my accounts.” 
How I longed, at this juncture, to be at home ! 
A residence even in the hog-pen of my father 
appeared far preferable to my present position, 
and gladly would I have made the exchange. The 
mate, discovering that I was sea-sick, set me to 
chasing the hog round the deck, which caused 
much merriment among the old sailors. In the 
course of the forenoon my sickness subsided, when 
I began to feel very hungry, as I had eaten nothing 
but pickles since the previous evening. At length 
the cook announced that dinner was ready, my 
watch were called up from below, and we all sat 
down flat upon the deck, round a small tub- 
called by sailors a u kid ”—bountifully filled with 


50 YKiRTY-TWO YEARS Of THE 

Balt junk beef and pork, and also a box filled with 
sea-bread. Before I commenced to eat, my mind 
vras directed to home, where my father’s table 
was liberally spread, and groaned with the luxu¬ 
ries of life, and I began to regret that 1 had en¬ 
tered upon the sea-faring profession. My appetite 
growing more keen, I at length seized a biscuit 
(which is all the plate a sailor has on ship-board) 
and drawing my knife out of its sheath, cut off a 
large piece of beef, and commenced devouring it 
as fiercely as a vulture would prey upon carriom 
I was so much taken up with my salt beef and 
biscuit that I did not notice the sailors had grog 
until 1 had nearly finished eating. On making 
the discovery I jumped upon my feet, went to 
the galley, and demanded to know from the stew® 
ard why I was not served like the rest of the 
sailors. He told me, in reply, that the captain 
had strictly forbidden him to give me any grog, 
at the express wish of my father. I went back 
to where the men were sitting, and told my mourn® 
ful story; when, like all true sailors, they shared 
with me, and continued to do so during the voy* 
age. After dinner, I thought I would take a last 
farewell sight of my native country ; but, on 
casting my eyes around, I beheld nothing but the 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


51 


broad and expansive ocean, the clear blue sky, 
and the bright sun, whose effulgent beams seemed 
to shine with surpassing brightness; and while 
our noble vessel was tossed to and fro upon 
the mighty deep, I was led to exclaim, “ Ah ! 
truly, they that go down to the sea in ships, and 
do business upon the great waters, see the mighty 
and wonderful works of God.” 

In the course of a few days I began to get quite 
used to the manner of living. It might be proper 
here to give you some idea of our bill of fare :— 
On Sunday, beef and duff; Monday, beef and 
pork ; Tuesday, pork and beans ; Wednesday, beef 
and duff; Thursday, lobscouee ; Friday, codfish 
and potatoes ; Saturday, beef and pork. Lest my 
reader cannot understand the meaning of u duff,” 
I will explain. It is simply flour and water, 
shortened with slush and boiled in a bag ; when 
done, it is placed in a kid and set afloat in mo¬ 
lasses. At supper, we had cold meat and Yopan 
tea, sometimes called by sailors, “ studding-sail 
boom tea,” on account of the large sticks which 
are frequently found in it; this is also sweetened 
with molasses, and at first has rather an unpleas¬ 
ant taste; but sailors are obliged to get used to 
eating and drinking anything set before them. 


52 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


During the day, when the watch was not below, 
the men were engaged in making sinnett for gas¬ 
kets ; and would, in fair weather, overhaul and 
repair the rigging. This part of seamanship, to¬ 
gether with furling sails, loosing the same, learn¬ 
ing the ropes, tacking ship, steering my trick at 
the wheel, boxing the compass, &c., I soon be¬ 
came proficient in. On Sundays, no work is done 
about the vessel except working her, which gives 
the “ jolly Jacks” an opportunity to mend and 
wash their clothes, many of whom have a scanty 
supply. I would frequently take my bible and 
hymn-book in my hand on Sundays, and read to 
the old sea veterans, which was received at first 
with noylegree of pleasure. They would frequently 
call me u an old psalm-singer,” and accost me 
with vulgar and unmeaning epithets ; but by per- 
severence on my part, their opposition soon ceased, 
and they would listen to the contents of its sacred 
pages with a seeming degree of pleasure. Nothing 
remarkable occurred on our passage out; and, 
after a reasonable time, I was sent up aloft, to spy 
out land, and in a short time I informed the cap¬ 
tain that I espied something having that appear¬ 
ance, on the starboard bow. He came aloft, and 


life of an adventure it. 


53 


pronounced my judgment correct, when my heart 
beat with joy at the sight, and with the hope 
that I should soon place my feet on terra Jirma. 
In the course of the day, we made the island of 
St. Barts ; and while the vessel stood off and on, 
the captain, supercargo, and two of the men, went 
ashore for the purpose of disposing of the cargo, 
which consisted of American produce. Not being 
able to sell, they came on board, when we bore 
away for a Dutch island, called St. Thomas, which 
we reached, I think, the next day. On entering 
the harbour of the town of St. Thomas, I was 
exceedingly pleased with the view of the shipp¬ 
ing, and also the ancient manner in which the 
town was built, together with the ruins of two 
ancient castles, formerly occupied by pirates, the 
history of one of whom is doubtless known to the 
reader. His name was Teach, though known 
more familiarly by that of u Black Beard.’ 7 He 
had a castle in Ocracock, North Carolina, which 
I have also seen ; and it may be of some interest 
to those who have not read of him to learn what 
his fate was. At this latter place, while this 
country belonged to the government of England, 
he had his principal rendezvous, where he would 
bring his prizes in, when they were confiscated, 
5 * 


54 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


for the benefit of the British crown. But this 
was afterwards ascertained to be only a plan, 
arranged by himself and the governor of the colony 
of North Carolina, to cover up their iniquity, as 
it was well known the spoils were divided between 
them. This fact coming to the ears of the gov¬ 
ernor of Virginia, an expedition was immediately 
fitted out against him, commanded by Lieutenant 
Maynard, of the Royal Navy. On its arrival at 
the place, Teach espied the vessel, whose appear¬ 
ance excited his suspicion, and he immediately 
began to prepare for action. Maynard gallantly 
ranged his vessel alongside the piratical craft, and 
ordered his crew to board her ; when a desperate 
and bloody engagement took place, the two prin¬ 
cipals fighting with each other with broadswords. 
After a desperate struggle on the part of the crew 
of each vessel, they ceased fighting to behold the 
superior skill of their leaders, who fought for 
nearly an hour without striking each other. A.t 
length, by a dexterous blow from Maynard, the 
head of Teach was severed from his body, both 
of which were immediately picked up and thrown 
overboard. It is related of him, that his body 
swam round the vessel without a head ; but this, 
I suppose, is a mere traditionary fiction, such as 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


55 


illiterate persons, with a morbid love for the mi¬ 
raculous, always endeavour to throw around the 
memory of men who have been conspicuous 
among their fellows for deeds of cruelty and blood. 

But to return to my narrative. Having come 
to anchor and furled sail, we were very much 
annoyed by the natives—mostly negro women— 
coming on board in their little boats—called, in 
the West Indies, u gobars,”—for the purpose of 
purchasing some portion of our cargo, which 
consisted of flour, meal, beef, pork, fish, potatoes, 
onions, &c. 

In the course of a few days, our cargo was sold, 
and our vessel discharged ; and after supplying 
her with ballast and water, we hoisted sail and 
weighed anchor, bending our course for Rum Key, 
an English island. On going out of the harbour 
of St. Thomas, I lost my equilibrium, and fell 
down into the hold of the vessel, striking my 
head upon the chime of a cask, and receiving a 
very severe wound, from which I suffered for a 
few days. In the course of two or three days we 
arrived at the place of our destination, and com¬ 
menced immediately taking in a load of coarse 
salt, which was brought on board in boats, by the 
male slaves, many of whom presented a horrible 


66 thirty-two years of the 

spectacle. They were scantily clad, bareheaded* 
and without shoes, and many of them had their* 
toes eaten off by the “jiggers,” a small insect 
that eats into the foot and lays its eggs there* 
which are hatched by the warmth of the blood* 
and finally eat out at the toes. Talk about Amer¬ 
ican slavery and its cruelties ! it is not a circum¬ 
stance to the barbarity and cruelty I there beheld. 
The female slaves, with nothing on them but a 
slip, bareheaded and barefooted, are obliged to 
carry the salt down to the boat on their heads, in 
bags, which contain about a bushel each. They 
walk along in droves, followed by a cruel task¬ 
master, who holds in his hand a whip with a long 
thong, which he applies very frequently to their* 
backs when he discovers the slightest disposition 
on their part to halt in their arduous and severe 
toil. One day, while I and another of the crew 
were waiting at the wharf for the captain, my 
blood boiled within my Veins, as I beheld this 
cruel driver lay the lash on the back of a beauti¬ 
ful female slave, who was nearly white. Her 
screams at every stroke were heart-rending. Stung 
by her wrongs, had I not been prevented by the 
fear of getting into trouble, I would have served 
him as Moses did the Egyptian who cut off the 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


57 


ear of the Israelite. My shipmate felt equally 
indignant with myself; and, if we could have 
smuggled her on board unperceived, we would 
have done so ; but we could not. 

While our Vessel was lying at anchor off this 
island, I was frequently amused by witnessing the 
negroes grease their heads and dive down into the 
clear blue sea, a distance of thirty or forty feet, 
after concks, the meat of which they used for 
food, and the shells were sold to us, to adorn the 
mantel-pieces of our parlours, when we should 
arrive at home. One day, Captain Smith, Cap¬ 
tain Perry, and myself, took our small boat to go 
fishing about half a mile from where our vessel 
was lying at anchor. After catching a sufficiency 
of fish we concluded to return, and on nearing 
our brig w e were hailed by the mate, who in¬ 
formed us that our log-line had been hauled into 
the sea, one end of which had been left hanging 
overboard, with a large hook and a piece of pork 
attached to it. We pulled rapidly for the reel, 
and soon succeeded in coming up to it. Captain 
Perry seized hold of it, and taking a turn round 
one of the thwarts of the boat, he remarked that 
the devil himself was at the other end of the line. 
Being an old and experienced whaleman, he con- 


58 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


tinued to pay out line until it was nearly all wound 
off the reel, when he was obliged to hold on, and 
we were towed about a mile out to sea by the 
as yet unseen power at the other end of the line. 
But symptoms of fatigue at length became appa¬ 
rent, and we succeeded in drawing to the surface 
a monstrous fish. After turning the head of our 
boat towards the brig, Captain Smith, with a 
sharp blow from the boat-hook, started it off in 
that direction with increased fury. On nearing 
our vessel, we hauled the monster again to the 
surface, and by another thrust with the boat-hook 
we succeeded in taking away his life. We hauled 
alongside the brig, when the captain ordered a 
tackle and fall to be lowered, and after hooking 
the fish in the mouth, word was given to u hoist 
away,” and he was soon on deck. It was finally 
pronounced, after some consultation, instead of 
the devil, as suggested by Captain Perry, to be 
a devil-fish. The sailors set about cutting him 
up for food, rejecting the tail, which was about 
nine feet long, and filled with sharp points, having 
the appearance of thorns. The old cook whilst 
amusing himself with it, ran one of these thorns 
into his foot, which instantly began to swell, and 
continued to do so until it was thought it would 


LIVE OP AN ADvENtURER. 


59 


burst. The pain was so severe as to drive him 
crazy for the remainder of the day and night. 
On the following morning, however, he was quite 
recovered, when he declared that he would never 
again have anything to do with the devil’s tail. 

Being now ready for sea, we weighed anchor 
and set sail for our beloved country. Nothing 
occurred worthy of note until the eighth day, when 
we made Cape Hatteras. Late in the afternoon, 
the sky began to gather blackness, and gave signs 
of a terrible storm. The captain ordered us to 
furl all the sails except the foretop-sail, in which 
there were two reefs taken, and the main spanker 
set. In a very short time the wind blew a hui- 
ricane, and the rain commenced to fall, the thun- 
der to roll, and the lightning to flash. The im¬ 
mense billows reared their foaming crests, and 
threatened each moment to engulph our ship— 
a mere speck upon their vast and raging expanse 
*— as she plunged her way forward, and nobly 
persevered in the desperate struggle. Never, 
while I live, shall I forget my feelings on this 
occasion. The confusion and turmoil of the ele¬ 
ments seemed to threaten the dissolution of nature, 
and the lightning, as it danced madly overhead, 
momentarily lighted up the scene with an awful 


60 THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 

glare, to be succeeded by a denser darkness and 
the terrific crashing of heaven’s entire artillery ; 
the whole seeming, to my awe-stricken soul, a 
prelude to the “ wreck of matter and the crash of 
worlds.” All hands being on deck during the 
night, we were obliged to secure ourselves in the 
best manner possible ; I accordingly lashed my¬ 
self fast to the pump on the quarter-deck, and 
soon after we shipped a sea which threw every 
man off his feet, except myself, and they were 
washed about the deck for some time before they 
could regain their footing. The storm continued 
with unabated fury for four days, during which 
time we were obliged to eat raw pork and biscuit, 
without even having tea or coffee, as it was im¬ 
possible to cook anything. The water which we 
were necessitated to drink had by this time be¬ 
come very foul and offensive, so that it would 
rope like molasses ; while, at the same time, we 
fell short of biscuit, and what we had were full 
of worms. Fellow-landsmen, you have no idea 
of the sufferings of the sailor ; but notwithstand¬ 
ing all his trials, he has the consolation of know¬ 
ing that Jesus loves and cares for the tempest- 
tossed mariner. 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


61 


Tossed upon life’s raging billow, 

Sweet it is, 0 Lord, to know 

That thou did’st press the sailor’s pillow, 

And can’st feel the sailor’s woe. 

Never slumbering, never sleeping. 

Though the night be dark and drear, 

Thou the faithful watch art keeping, 

“AD, all’s well” thy constant cheer. 

And, though masts and sails be riven. 

Soon life’s voyage will be o’er; 

Safely moor’d in heaven’s wide haven, 

Where storms and tempests vex no more. 

After the storm abated, the wind died away to 
a moderate breeze, we again made sail, and 
through the course of the day fell in with two 
wrecks, which were abandoned. We boarded 
one of them, took from her some pieces of fine 
pork, a barrel of fish, and some buiscuit, together 
with a small anchor and cable. Before leaving 
her we knocked her dead lights in, for the purpose 
of sinking her. Her colours were lying on deck, 
and her masts, sails and ringing were cut away, 
and were lying alongside; we saw a ship to the 
leeward, and supposed she had taken off the crew. 
After two days sail, we had to counteract another 
storm, which was not quite so severe as the first, 
6 


§2 thirty-two years op the 

it being chiefly wind and rain ; it lasted about the 
same length of time as the one I have just named, 
during which I was knocked off the foreyard-arm 
while furling the foresail, and fortunately for me, 
I caught in the shrouds in my downward descent. 
This storm was succeeded by a dead calm, during 
which the captain sent me up to scrape and slush 
the main-top-gallant mast. Taking a bucket up 
with me, filled with ten pounds of slush, 1 made 
it fast to the top-gallant shrouds ; but having to 
hold on with my legs whilst 1 used my hands, and 
a heavy dead sea causing the vessel to roll about 
very much, I found it difficult to perform my 
duty. I at length succeeded ; when Captain 
Perry (who was a passenger on board, and a 
noted tyrant) called out to me to give the main- 
topmast a dab. Whilst he was in the act of look¬ 
ing up, the lanyard of my slush-bucket gave way, 
and it fell heavily upon deck, just grazing his 
head and falling close to his feet, covering his 
clothes all over with slush, from his phrenological 
bumps down to his understandings. This acci¬ 
dent caused much laughter among the old tars, 
while Captain Perry raved like a madman, charged 
me with doing it designedly, and desired the cap¬ 
tain of the brig to call me down and give me a 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


63 


severe flogging, which he refused to do, assuring 
him that it was a mere accident. During that 
night it commenced raining, and w r hen the larboard 
watch was called I did not hurry myself on deck, 
when an old tar, whose head was whitened by 
the frosts of many winters, gave me a cuff* on the 
side of my head, which I returned with interest, 
and the forecastle being very wet and slippery, 
his feet flew from under him, and falfng on the 
edge of one of the chests, he broke one of his 
ribs, through which accident he was laid up for 
the rest ot the voyage, and for which I felt very 
sorry. 

As our clothes were all wet, and had been so 
for ten or twelve days, we were all more or less 
affected with rheumatism; and being short-handed, 
we now found it very difficult to manage our ves¬ 
sel ; but through the agency of a kind Providence, 
we finally succeeded, after twenty-three days’ 1 
sail, in making Montauk Point, the east end of 
Long Island. Header, imagine my joy on again 
beholding my native land, after the suffering and 
toil of fifteen out of the twenty-three days we had 
been at sea. We took a pilot on board, and came 
to an anchor above Hell-gate, he not considering 
it safe to go through that night. After the sails 


64 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


were furled, the captain ordered all hands to go 
below, except one man, who was directed to keep 
a good look-out, each man being called up in turn 
to take his watch on deck. During the night, it 
came on to snow, and in the morning it w r as very 
cold ; and not being able to wear my shoes in 
consequence of my feet being swelled and very 
sore, I suffered most intolerably. In this condi¬ 
tion I was obliged to assist in weighing anchor 
and in getting the vessel under weigh ; after 
which, with the consent of the captain, I went 
below, and remained there until the vessel arrived 
at New York. My father being informed of my 
arrival, sent my eldest brother up to the city to 
accompany me home ; and after supplying myself 
with a pair of shoes, and bidding my old ship¬ 
mates good-bye, I left the vessel, sufficiently cured 
of any predilections I might formerly have enter¬ 
tained for the life of a sailor. 

On my arrival at home, with a rough, unseemly 
exterior—my hands and face being burnt to the 
consistency and appearance of a smoked ham — 
my father, mother, brothers, and sisters crowded 
round me, and greeted me with tears of joy at 
my safe return ; and, in a short and brief manner, 
I related to them the history of my voyage. In 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 6)5 

a day or two, I was able to go out and visit some 
of my old schoolmates, who were very glad to 
see me. Soon after this, I came to the city, where 
I fell in with some young men, who led me to a 
house of ill-fame. What occurred there delicacy 
would forbid I should name ; but suffice it to say, 
I had reason to repent it for some months after. 
After remaining at home about three months, I 
began to have a hankering desire (notwithstand¬ 
ing all my previous sufferings) to go to sea again. 
Without saying anything to my parents upon the 
subject, I came to the city, and on passing alon£ 
the wharfs, I at length discovered a brig with a 
pendant flying at her mast-head, went on board, 
and asked the captain if he wanted any hands, 
He replied that he had shipped his crew, but 
wanted a cook. I told him I could cook ; when, 
after asking me a few questions, he engaged me, 
at $13 50 per month. I went home, bade my 
friends good-bye, got my bedding and chest, came 
back to the city, and entered on board. This, I 
think, was in March, about the 3rd of the month, 
in the year 1S32. We set sail, bound for Eliza¬ 
beth city ; and, on the 17th day of the month, we 
took a squall in Albemarle Sound, which, for a 
short time, was very terrific. All hands were 
6 # 


66 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


ordered aloft to take in sail ; I went up to furl the 
main-top-gallant sail, and on arriving at the cross- 
trees, the yard and sail were blown away. One 
moment more, and my soul might have been ush¬ 
ered into the presence of its Maker, The captain 
stood on deck with a speaking-trumpet in his 
hand, and ordered me to come down, while he 
cried, prayed, and swore, all in a breath. After 
some time, the sails were furled and the vessel 
lay at anchor, where we rode out safely during 
the night. The next morning we got under weigh, 
and arrived in Elizabeth city the following morn¬ 
ing. By order of the owner, R. M. Knox, the 
vessel was here laid up for repair, and the mate, 
a young man named Feach, and myself were the 
only persons who remained on board the vessel, 
the captain and the rest of the crew having quitted, 
her. During a visit to a place of doubtful fame, 
in company with my shipmate, some person en¬ 
tered the vessel in the night, broke open my 
chest, and stole most of my clothes. When I 
returned in the morning, I was very much sur¬ 
prised to ascertain the result of my absence, and 
made up my mind to quit my midnight rambles 
ever after, which I did. 

I do not intend to w r eary the patience of my 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


67 


readers by giving a full-length account of this 
voyage, but will simply refer to some few circum¬ 
stances worthy of note. 

After our vessel had undergone a thorough re- 
pair, we took in a cargo, consisting of pine planks, 
staves, shingles, and a yankee skipper, who proved 
to be as mean a scoundrel as ever lived. To 
serve the devil more effectually, he dared to as¬ 
sume the livery of heaven. The vessel being 
loaded and ready for sea, we took on board the 
rest of our crew, consisting of a negro and two 
North Carolina sailors, as green as pumpkins. 
After setting sail, our brig glided slowly down 
Pasquotanck River, till at length we reached 
Albemarle Sound, and finally the u big blue her¬ 
ring pond,” as the ocean is frequently termed by 
“ old salts.” 

Nothing remarkable occurred during our pas¬ 
sage out to the West Indies. With fair weather 

O 

and a moderate breeze, we finally reached the 
island of Martinique, belonging to the French. 
We came to anchor and remained in the harbour 
of St. Pierre’s about two days. Not being able 
to sell our cargo in this place, we got under weigh, 
and bent our course (or Point Peter, in the island 
of Guadaloupc. After we had been out a few 


6$ TIIIUTY-TWO years of thet 

days, we spied a sail under the land, which the 
captain and mate pronounced to be a pirate. We 
had a cannon on board, together with a supply of 
powder and ball, and also a few muskets and old 
rusty swords, which were brought on deck and 
made ready for use. This long, low, black 
schooner gave chase for about forty-eight hours,- 
but at length a stiff breeze sprang up, and we soon 
left her out of sight. In about three days, we 
arrived at the place of our destination ; and after 
corning to anchor, the vessel was taken charge of 
by a negro custom-house officer, who was armed 
with a cane knife. This gentleman of color and 
authority remained on board the whole time we 
staid at the place. The captain succeeded in 
selling the cargo, and in a few days our vessel 
was discharged. The first Sunday after our 
arrival, all hands went ashore for a frolic, myself 
among the rest, this being a great frolicing day 
all through the West Indies. 

A short time after we got ashore, I missed my 
shipmates ; and in strolling around in the public 
square of the city, I supplied myself with an 
abundance of West India fruits, of which I ate 
freely ; and afterwards falling in with some jovial 
French sailors, I was invited to drink with them, 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


69 


which I did ; and before we parted, I drank at 
least three pints of long-corked claret wine, which 
is very cheap in the French islands. After 1 left 
them I strolled round to the public green, where 
foreigners and citizens, including the free negroes, 
were congregated together in a mass, for the pur¬ 
pose of dancing a fandango, well known as a 
favorite Spanish dance. By this time I began to 
experience the effects of the wine, and joined in 
with them, losing all thought of the manner in 
which I had been accustomed to keep the Sabbath 
in my own country. After this was over, I went 
to the shore and hailed the brig, when the boat 
was sent for me. After getting on board the 
vessel, the mate being drunk and somewhat angry 
with me, told me to do something ; when, instead 
of replying, u Aye, aye, sir,” I simply said, 
“Aye, aye,” leaving out the “ sir.” This enraged 
him to such a degree, that he struck me a heavy 
blow with his fist, which felled me to the deck, 
where I lay for some time, totally stunned. On 
my recovery, had I not been prevented by fear of 
being placed in irons for mutiny, I should have 
returned the compliment; but I concluded to suf¬ 
fer the wrong which I had received at his hands. 
During that night I was taken sick with a pain in 


70 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


my head and the small of my back, and in the 
morning was burning with a violent fever, and 
unable to rise. The captain, after looking at me, 
pronounced my disease to be the yellow fever. 
The small boat was ordered alongside, and I was 
forthwith conveyed on shore, and carried by the 
men to a Catholic nunnery hospital. Here I was 
placed in a long room, with about eighty or ninety 
other patients, who were also sick with the fever* 
and whose groans would cause the stoutest heart 
to melt with sympathy. During the day, I was 
visited by two French physicians, who were ac¬ 
companied by two beautiful nuns. They examined 
my tongue and my pulse, and after making some 
inquiries about my feelings, they administered a 
powerful dose of calomel, in the form of pills, 
which had the desired effect during the night, and 
in the morning I was much better. They con¬ 
tinued dosing me with mercury until I became 
heartily sick of it; and when the backs of the 
beautiful nuns who nursed me were turned, I 
often concealed in the sand of the spittoon those 
powerful medicines whose operations had been 
designed for my internals. Having a strong con¬ 
stitution, Nature soon rallied, and in the course 
of a week I was able to sit up ; when they began 


LITE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


71 


to feed me with noodle soup, which was so thick 
with vegetables and glutinous matter, that it might 
be eaten with a fork. They also supplied me 
with a quart of wine per day, which stimulated 
m3 7 appetite, and I gained strength so fast, that in 
about two weeks I was well enough to leave the 
institution. During my stay here, I became 
strongly prejudiced in favor of the Roman Cath¬ 
olic religion. My former prejudices against the 
faith all fled when I beheld the example of the 
holy nuns and the superior, who would kneel be¬ 
fore us every night and morning, and in an earnest 
and pathetic manner present their petitions to the 
God of heaven that he might have mercy upon 
the sick and the d} 7 ing who were placed under 
their charge. Ah ! my soul united with them in 
those solemn invocations, and I was made to feel 
very grateful to God for his mercy towards me, 
in sparing my unprofitable and sinful life, whilst 
there were, daily, others removed from the insti¬ 
tution to the silent mansions of the dead. Before 
I left it, my affections became so strong for the 
superior, that I would fain have offered her my 
hand in marriage, had I not known that it was 
strictly forbidden by the hoi} 7 order. The captain 
came to see me, and informed me that the vessel 


72 


THIRTY-TWO YE ARS OF TH E 


would not take in cargo at this place, and that he 
was obliged to proceed immediately to St. Thomas. 
I was accordingly taken on board, but not without 
feelings of regret in being obliged to leave behind 
me my beautiful nun; and I immediately com¬ 
menced my slushy occupation as cook, although 
quite weak from my previous illness. 

Just before we weighed anchor, the captain 
ordered me to do something, which I did as well 
as my feeble strength would permit; hut not suit¬ 
ing the gentleman’s tastes, he became very angry; 
and having a tumbler in his hand at the time, he 
hurled it at me with such force that, on striking 
my arm, the glass broke, and cut several large 
pieces of flesh out of it. After his fit of anger 
had subsided, he discovered that I was fainting 
from weakness and loss of blood, and ordered the 
mate to bind up my wounds. As soon as I re¬ 
covered from the shock, I promised myself that I 
would have satisfaction out of him on my return 
home ; and on speaking to the men on the sub¬ 
ject, they called him a “d—d villain,” and said 
they were prepared to testify against him. We 
finally got under weigh, and set sail for the island 
of St. Thomas, where we arrived in a few days. 
Here we received orders to proceed to Myagues, 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


73 


Porto Rico, a Spanish island, about two day’s sail 
from the former place. Before we left St. 
Thomas, I purchased a case of Hollands gin, and 
some bananas, from which I eat and drank freely 
and was soon seized again with the yellow fever. 
I now began to feel that my voyage of life was 
nearly ended, when the thoughts of home*—my 
past sinful life—and my eternal destiny, all crowd¬ 
ed upon my mind with such force, that for a time 
my situation became very alarming. The captain 
ordered a dose of calomel, which 1 took without 
having any visible effect, when I was under the 
disagreeable necessity of swallowing about a pint 
of sweet oil; this caused the excrescence to pass 
my bowels, which was as black as tar. The cap¬ 
tain ordered the mate to have me removed out of 
the cabin, and placed down into the hold of the 
vessel among the ballast; here I became quite 
delirious, and finally crawled upon deck, when 
the men, moved by sympathy, advised my cruel 
captain to allow them to take charge of me, which 
he did. They laid my mattrass on the fore¬ 
castle deck, and after fixing an awning over me, 
I laid there until we arrived at the port of Mya- 
guerz. On the arrival of the vessel at this place, 
the captain went on shore, and brought with him 
7 


74 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


the American consul, and a Spanish physician'* 
who on examination pronounced me dangerously 
ill, and advised the captain to smuggle me ashore 
in the night, so that the authorities of the town 
might not suspect that the vessel had the fever on 
board, which was done that night. Before lower¬ 
ing me into the boat, I asked for my Bible, which 
was handed me, when we proceeded to the shore. 
To disguise my illness, I was obliged to walk to 
the place which was prepared for me between 
two men, where after a short time we arrived. 

I was carried into a house which had the ap¬ 
pearance to me, similar to an American barn, laid 
upon a bed, and on the following morning, w r as 
visited by the doctor, who ordered my nurse (an 
old Spanish woman) to lay two blisters on the 
inside of my thighs, which was done, and internal 
remedies applied ; in a few days my fever took a 
turn, I began to grow better, and in the course of 
three weeks, I was able to go on board. During 
my illness, I was visited by a number of Spanish 
creole ladies daily, who were also catholics, and 
whose hearts sympathised with the young Ame¬ 
rican, who was far removed from his native coun¬ 
try, and in a land of strangers. They would try 
to comfort me by their assurances that I would 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


75 


get well, and be permitted to visit my native land ; 
and frequently when the old lady was dressing my 
blisters, they would bath my face with cologne, 
to keep me from fainting. I was also visited by 
a Spanish gentleman, who told me not to want for 
anything, and that his purse was at my command. 
This hospitality from Spaniards I did not expect, 
as my mind, in early life, had been very much 
prejudiced against that nation, by different writers, 
who had represented them as a cruel barbarous 
people ; but I found them during my stay in this 
place, a noble, generous, and warm-hearted race. 
After I got entirely well, I went on board of my 
vessel, and found they were taking in a cargo of 
molasses, which was brought on hoard by the 
natives in large boats, and lest I should sicken 
m} T reader of the article, I will forbear to give the 
particulars of what I saw into it at this time. 
After our vessel was loaded, I made a purchase 
of some of the natives, of one hundred cocoanuts, 
and a few kegs of tamarinds, which I brought 
borne with me. All things being in readiness, 
we set sail for our native land, having fair wind 
and a good stiff breeze, we made a rapid passage, 
and on the 12th day from the time we left the 
island of Porto Rico, we came to an anchor at the 


76 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


Quarantine ground, where my parents resided. 
When the Health officer’s boat came on board, I 
was informed by the doctor that my father was 
lying sick with inflammatory rheumatism. The 
captain gave his consent for me to go on shore, I 
accordingly dressed myself in my best bib and 
tucker, and went ashore in the doctor’s boat. My 
parents greeted me with joy on my safe return, 
and immediately informed me that the cholera w as 
raging in the city of New York. 

I told my father I was obliged to go to the city 
that day with the vessel, when he advised me to 
proceed home immediately as soon as the vessel 
w r as made fast. I w r ent dowm with my brother 
to see Captain Wood, the custom house boarding 
officer, w r ho at my request kindly allowed me to 
bring my tamarinds and cocoanuts on shore, 
which my brother did, leaving me on board to 
assist in carrying the brig to New York. The 
health officer having previously examined our 
vessel and crew, consented that w r e might proceed 
to the city that day, which we did, and after a few 
hours, our sails were all furled, and our vessel 
made fast to the dock. On demanding my wages 
of the captain, he refused to pay me, assigning as 
a reason, that he had expended.it all in defraying 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


77 


tny expenses during my illness in the West Indies. 
After making enquiry of my shipmates where they 
were going to board, I took my bed and clothing 
And went home ; on informing my father of the 
treatment of the captain w hile in the West Indies, 
and also his refusal to pay me my w ages, he be¬ 
came quite angry—gave me five dollars to come 
to the cit} r , but instead of doing as my father de¬ 
sired, I went on a spree, and kept drunk until my 
money was gone, by w r hich time the captain had 
eloped with his vessel, and I was cheated out of 
my hard-earned wages. I returned home and 
told my father that I had lost the money he gave 
me, and that the vessel had sailed. About two 
or three weeks after this, I came to the city with 
William Freeland, one of my old schoolmates, and 
before our return home that day, he was seized 
with the cholera, and during the night his gene¬ 
rous spirit took its flight, I trust, to the land of 
blessedness. The next day I assisted in laying 
his lifeless remains in a coffin, when he w as de¬ 
posited in the narrow house, appointed for all 
living. This circumstance affected me ver} r seri¬ 
ously, and to drown my sorrow, I took to the cup, 
and during the afternoon, I confess it with shame, 
became quite intoxicated from the effects of the 


78 


THIRTY-TWO YEAR'S OF THE 


accursed poison. On going to my home I found 
my dear mother writhing in agony with the chol¬ 
era. This was on the sixth day of August, 1832; 
my father and youngest sister were seized with 
the direful disease on the fourth day after my 
mother was taken. Two doctors were in atten¬ 
dance the most of the time with my mother ; and 
deeming it advisable to have my father removed 
to the hospital, where he could have good atten¬ 
tion, it was accordingly done, and he placed in 
the captain’s ward under proper nurses. The 
physicians did everything that was necessary to 
cure my parents and sister, but they were only 
successful with the latter. My mother died on 
the fourteenth day of the month, and was buried 
on the fifteenth ; my eldest sister, a beautiful 
young woman, was taken ill with the disease on 
coming from the grave of my mother, and died the 
following morning. My father was not made ac¬ 
quainted with the death of my eldest sister at all, 
and was only informed of the death of my mother, 
on Saturday the eighteenth instant; he also died 
that evening, and was buried the next morning, 
followed by a large concourse of friends, and his 
little orphan children. He lived respected, and 
died lamented by all who knew' his worth. 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


79 


Reader, while I pen these lines, my heart swells 
with grief, and my eyes are suffused with tears, 
when I look back upon the death-bed scene of my 
fond and doting parents, and beloved sister, now 
fifteen years gone by. It may not be amiss to 
state what were my feelings under those trying 
circumstances. While I stood over my dying 
mother, I remembered my acts of disobedience, 
and the many tears 1 caused her to shed during 
the former part of my life, on account of my way¬ 
wardness ; and when her pure spirit left its frail 
tenement, I felt as though my heart w r ould burst 
with grief, during that night and the following day. 
My worthy and esteemed friends, Mrs. Jane Ann 
Martin, my cousin Mrs. Turner, and Mrs. Gris¬ 
wold, w r ere present and soothed her dying mo¬ 
ments ; may I ever cherish their memory with 
gratitude and respect, for their noble and generous 
conduct on this occasion. On the following morn- 
in^ after my eldest sister was taken with the dis¬ 
ease, those kind friends whom I have just named 
had become weary for want of rest, I was ad¬ 
vised to go into the country a distance of five 
miles, to get my cousin to come and take care of 
the family. 1 accordingly went, but she refused 
to come, fearing she might take the disease and 


BO 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS 0? THE 


die. While returning home in the evening, just 
after I had passed the spot where the mortal re¬ 
mains of my mother were deposited, I cast my 
eyes down the road, and beheld a funeral proces¬ 
sion ; on corning up to it, imagine my surprise 
dear reader, when I beheld the hearse and a num¬ 
ber of carriages, in two of which were my brothers 
and sisters clad in their habiliments of mourning, 
and weeping ready to break their hearts for the 
loss of their beloved sister, of whose death, up to 
this time I remained perfectly ignorant. 1 joined 
in the procession, and witnessed the remains of 
my once beautiful sister, deposited in the silent 
mansions of the dead. We returned home to our 
desolate abode, when I began to feel as though I 
should soon follow my dear father ; nearly all the 
time on Friday and Saturday I was at his bed¬ 
side, and oh ! how I longed to unfold to him the 
secrets of my mind, and humbly ask his forgive¬ 
ness ; but he was too sick to hear it, and the doc¬ 
tors had forbid me talking to him. I took my last 
farewell of him on Saturday evening, and on the 
following morning, I repaired to his room to ascer¬ 
tain how he was, when, on entering the door, I 
saw him stretched a lifeless corpse. For a moment 
the blood chilled in my veins ; and while I gazed 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


81 


upon his lifeless remains in the coffin, with his 
eyes wide open, I began to imagine he was not 
dead, but by placing my hand upon his pale, cold, 
clammy face, my hopes vanished ; when I cried 
out in the agon} 7 of my soul, “ Oh ! my God take 
me also, and leave me no longer to suffer upon 
thy footstool.” But this &quest was not granted, 
as my cup of sorrow was not yet filled. After 
the funeral, we were all removed from the house, 
to get rid of the infection, into the upper hospital, 
and remained there for a few days, until it was 
arranged what disposition should be made of the 
eight orphan children that were left behind, with¬ 
out a parent’s care. My eldest brother was pro¬ 
vided for ; as for myself, my friends were all gone 
when my parents were dead. My brother, next 
to me, and two little sisters, six and seven years 
of age, were taken to Newburgh, to reside with 
a rich uncle; my sister, about nine years old, 
was sent to New Brunswick, to reside with a 
cousin of my father’s. My brother David, about 
ten years old, remained with Mr. Simonson at the 
Quarantine ; and my sister Rachel, who was the 
baby, was taken to my uncle’s in New York, 
where she remained until I was married, when I 
took her to live with me. In this manner they 


82 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


were all disposed of. From this time I began to 
realize my lonely situation ; sad and cast down, 
I went to Newburgh, where I remained a short 
time, and worked at my trade, but not with much 
success. I at length came to New York, where 
my brother procured me a situation with a 
Mr. West, to learn the*grate and fender business. 
But here I was like the dove sent out from Noah’s 
Ark, I could find for a time no resting place. I left 
this place, and entered on board a Pilot boat, for 
the purpose of learning the piloting business, 
where I remained for about seven months ; during 
which time, I occasionally went to the Mariners’ 
church in Roosevelt-street, at which place I gave 
my heart up to God, and entered once more in 
the service of my Divine Master. Being sur¬ 
rounded by unholy influences on board of the boat, 
I concluded I would abandon my occupation, and 
try to live on shore. Having formed an acquaint¬ 
ance with a good man by the name of Carpenter, 
I told him what I determined to do, when he in¬ 
formed me that he was going to open a flour store, 
and should want a clerk, I offered my serveces, 
which he accepted, and employed me at a mode¬ 
rate salary. I remained with him about thirteen 
months, during which time I fell in love with an 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


83 


amiable, and lovely young woman ; the daughter 
of a distinguished naval officer, who died in con¬ 
sequence of a wound he received while defending 
his country from the invasion of a foreign foe. 
On the fifteenth day of May 1834, we were mar¬ 
ried by the Rev. A. R. Martin, my old Pastor, 
who came to the city on purpose to perform the 
ceremony, which was done in the presence of a 
large number of my friends and hers, at the house 
of her mother. I forgot to name that the church 
excluded me after the death of my mother. But 
on my return to the paths of rectitude, a few 
months previous to this time, I was fully restored 
again to their fellowship. On the evening after 
my marriage, I set up the family alter, and prayed 
with my wife, which I continued to do whenever 
I enjoyed religion. My salary being small, which 
I received from my employer, at the time of my 
marriage, and some other circumstances, induced 
me to leave my situation. We boarded with my 
mother-in-law for about three months, during the 
honey-moon, and finally concluded to go to house 
keeping ; my mother-in-law furnished our house 
with everything necessary for the purpose ; when 
we left her, and became the king and queen of our 
domicil; although a humble cot, yet it was a happy 


84 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


one, for it was in this place we quaffed the unal¬ 
loyed sweets of connubial love. A short time 
before I commenced house-keeping, I engaged 
with E. Kellogg, as a clerk in the wholesale gro¬ 
cery business, where I remained during one year, 
in which time nothing remarkable occurred, ex¬ 
cept the birth of my first child, a lovely daughter, 
who was born March 5th, 1835. Having then a 
small salary, I began to find it inadequate for the 
support of my family, I therefore concluded to go 
to work at my trade, and engaged with Thomas 
0. Buckmaster, with whom I remained nearly 
two years. About this time the journeymen 
struck for wages, and I was obliged to leave my 
place, much to my regret, and that of my employ¬ 
er. I then went to work for J. Ayres in Hudson- 
street, where I made money as fast as I wanted 
to ; at length we filled his shop full of goods, and 
I was obliged to look out for another job. I then 
went to work in the Bowery, with A Underhill, 
where I worked a few weeks, and finally conclu¬ 
ded to go into business for myself out to New¬ 
town. Having sold the little property left me by 
my father, I accordingly embarked in this enter¬ 
prise, where I remained happy with the church, 
and prosperous in business for about nine months. 


Li?e Op AN AflVENTtjtfEii. §5 

Finally my old friend Buckmaster came out to see 
me, and offered me five hundred and twenty dol* 
lars a year, if I would come to the city and take 
charge of a wholesale trunk store, Which he had 
started at No. 8, Old Slip. The bait was too 
inviting* I could not refuse his offer. I enga-» 
ged with 1 him and left my family in Newtown, 
and had my storfe kept open until I finally had an 
auction, and sold out at a sacrifice of about one- 1 
half what my stock Was worth. My second 
daughter was born before we moved from this 
place, March 19th, 1837. 

We moved to the city in May, and during this 
year my wife embraced the Christian religion, 
and united, with myself, to Elder Benedict’s 
church, in Stanton-street, New York. At the 
close of the year, in consequence of my employer 
being unsuccessful in business, he concluded to 
close up his store in Old Slip, wheh I was thrown 
out of business, and did not do anything again for 
nearly six months, during which time I spent the 
last dollar I was worth in the world. I finally 
procured a situation in a pill-doctor’s office, in 
Chatham-street, at $4. per week. I staid with 
him about four weeks, during which time he in* 
creased my wages to $6. Having a great aver* 
8 


86 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


sion to quackery, I concluded to quit here as soon 
as a good opportunity should offer; when, through 
the instrumentality of a merchant, I obtained a 
situation with Mr. E. Withington, a very fine old 
Baptist gentleman, who carries on a very exten¬ 
sive business in the manufacture of coffee and 
spices, where I remained nearly five years. 

Shortly after I engaged with him, I removed* 
through his persuasion, from the city to Williams- 
burgh, with my family, about the middle of Sep¬ 
tember, 1838, when a few Baptists got together, 
and through the liberal pecuniary aid of Mr* 
Withington and other Baptist friends, at length 
succeeded in forming a church. Owing to a little 
disagreement between myself and the preacher, 
I was not constituted with them, but joined their 
number shortly after. In a very short period, I 
was elected clerk, and remained in this situation, 
labouring for the cause of God and his church, 
until the spring of 1844, when I w r as excluded 
from the fellowship, in consequence of having 
embraced and practsed the science of animal and 
phreno-magnetism. From this time persecution 
began to rage against me, which was brought 
about in the following manner : Previous to my 
exclusion from the body, a girl, by the name of 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


87 


Jane Winter, who was also a member of the 
church, had become somewhat infatuated with 
the Millerite doctrines, in consequence of which, 
she neglected the meetings of her own church. 

I met her one evening (on my return from Brook¬ 
lyn, where I had been delivering a lecture) at 
the Grand-street ferry, about eleven o’clock, in 
company with some Millerites. I immediately 
commenced conversation with her about her con¬ 
duct in leaving the church ; and told her very 
pointedly that she was then under discipline, and 
would be excluded if she did uot return and make 
the necessary acknowledgments. The boat hav¬ 
ing stopped running at the Grand-street ferry, we 
walked up to Houston-street, and there wailed 
some time for the boat to come over. She went 
into the ferry-house first, I remained outside for a 
short time, and on going in I found her crying. 
Thinking I had wounded her feelings by talking 
to her so pointedly, I seated myself beside her, 
and commenced conversation upon the subject of 
animal magnetism. I told her I had engaged to 
deliver two lectures before the Newtown Lyceum, 
but that I found it very difficult to procure a sub¬ 
ject, and then asked her if she w r ouId accompany 
me on the evening appointed. She partly refused ; 


68 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


but upon my assurance that my intentions were 
perfectly honorable, she yielded a partial consent, 
but reserved her ultimate decision until the fol¬ 
lowing morning. 

The next day, at my store in Fulton-street, I 
was informed that a story was in circulation in 
Williamsburgh, that I had made improper propo¬ 
sals to Miss Winter, and that I had attempted to 
seduce her, she having told the story to a slan¬ 
dering negro, who, in a very short time, set the 
whole village to talking about it. I became very 
much enraged on hearing this report, and came 
over to the village for the express purpose of 
having her arrested ; but on advising with one of 
our deacons upon the subject, he begged me to 
bring the matter first before the church. On 
Wednesday evening of the same week the church 
met, and on the committees rising, they reported 
that they had had an interview with Miss Winter, 
and that she had promised them she would return 
and occupy her place. At this juncture of the 
proceedings, I rose from my seat and offered my 
resignation as clerk, and demanded a letter for 
myself and wife to unite with the Pierrepont- 
street Baptist church, Brooklyn ; remarking, at 
the game time, that I would not belong to any 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. S9 

church where such a lying trollop was permitted 
to remain. I do not think, knowing my charac¬ 
ter so well, that they suspected for one moment 
the story she had circulated about me was true ; 
but having called her a liar in the presence of the 
whole body, they threw me immediately under 
the discipline of the church, and appointed a 
committee to investigate her character for vera¬ 
city. A short time after this, I was called to the 
South on business, and they, taking advantage of 
iny absence, excluded me. On my return home, 
a few weeks after this circumstance, my wife in¬ 
formed me about the action of the church, which 
had a tendency to rouse my combativeness, and 
created a disposition to avenge my injured char¬ 
acter by attempting to tear the church to pieces. 
I found, on inquiry, that a certain clique had ex¬ 
cluded me, when there were very few members 
present, which caused many of my brethren to feel 
grieved at their course. A number of the mem¬ 
bers left in consequence of it, when we had a 
meeting, and consulted with reference to forming 
a new church. After meeting a number of timts 
for worship in a private house, I came to the 
conclusion, upon calm reflection, that I was pur¬ 
suing a very wrong course, and concluded I would 
8 * 


90 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


not meet with them again, so the enterprise was 
finally abandoned. I remained out of the church 
for about three months, and finally w r as received 
back after the difficulty was amicably adjusted 
between Miss Winter and myself. 

I will not dwell on this subject, lest I should 
weary the patience of my reader ; but will return 
and relate a few things which occurred while I 
was employed by Mr. Withington. It is well 
known to most of my readers, that he is an ex¬ 
tensive manufacturer ; and it is also a well-known 
fact, that his manner of doing business is strictly 
honest. He is also noted fcr his peculiar eccen¬ 
tricities and extended benevolence. After I had 
been with him not quite one year, my third child 
was born, on the 11th of August, 1839. I had 
a great deal of writing and talking to perform 
during my stay, for which I was well paid. On 
the 6th of January, 1841, my eldest son (the 
fourth child) was born. While with Mr. With¬ 
ington, my intellect was taxed to a very great 
extent, so that I was enabled to perform an im¬ 
mense amount of mental as well as physical 
labour ; and by this means I became very ambi¬ 
tious, which subjected me at times to derision 
from my eccentric employer. He would some- 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


91 


times say to me, “ Oh ! if you would only dis¬ 
miss your pride, you would rise right up, like a 
kite.” At other times he would say, “ No sun 
can shine when you shine : the great luminary 
extinguishes the light of all those little luminaries 
that revolve around it.” And sometimes becom¬ 
ing displeased with my assumption of authority, 
he would exclaim, “ There can be but one Caesar 
in Rome.” Many more of his sayings I could 
relate ; but, for want of time and space, shall be 
obliged to omit them. 

After having remained with him nearly five 
years—comfortable and happy the most of the 
time—through some little misunderstanding be¬ 
tween us, the fault being mostly my own, we 
concluded to separate. But now, let me inform 
my reader, he is about eighty years of age, still 
doing a great business, and, should 1 survive him, 
I will ever cherish his memory with respect. I 
left him on the 23rd of May, 1S43, and entered 
into co-partnership with E. Welch, his grandson, 
in the same kind of business. 

Notwithstanding Mr. Withington gave me at the 
rate of $1,000 during a portion of the last j r ear 
1 was with him, and a good salary previous to 
that time, and very frequently a handsome pre- 


92 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


sent, yet I did not save any money, owing to my 
having a large family. I consequently was 
obliged to enter the firm wfith Mr. Welch with¬ 
out a dollar, and he, by misfortune, was several 
hundred dollars worse than nothing. These facts, 
however, were not known to our merchants, and 
believing the concern perfectly solvent, and know¬ 
ing us both to be active business men, we ob¬ 
tained an extensive credit, and did a large and 
profitable business. 

Not being satisfied in doing well, I wanted to 
do a little better ; I therefore opened a tea store 
in Williamsburgh, and in the course of the year I 
found it to be an unprofitable concern. I very 
wisely, after consulting with Mr. Welch upon the 
subject, concluded to shut it up, which I did. I 
now devoted my whole attention to the business 
of the firm, until January, 1S44 ; when, unfor¬ 
tunately for me, the subject of animal magnetism 
began to be discussed in our village, and the 
whole community became magnetic mad. Being 
naturally of a very inquiring mind, although a 
sceptic in many things, I came to the conclusion 
to go and witness Professor Johnson’s exploits. 
The lectures were delivered in the Bethel Baptist 
church, of which I was then a. member. Being 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


93 


met, one morning, by one of the brethren, he 
inquired of me what I thought of animal magnet¬ 
ism ? I told him I looked upon it as one of the 
greatest humbugs of the age. He assured me he 
could convince me to the contrary, as he had 

magnetized Mrs. G-. I told him I was like 

the blind man—I would sooner see it than hear 
tell of it. Feeling anxious to remove the doubts 
from my mind in regard to the truths of the 
science, he invited me to go with him on that 
evening, which invitation I accepted. The young 
professor being engaged in the early part of the 
evening, we did not meet till about half-past 
eleven o’clock, when we immediately went to the 
residence of Mr. Granville, the sexton of the 
Baptist church, who had by this time also be¬ 
come a professor. 

He had, before our arrival, retired to rest; not¬ 
withstanding which, we awoke him. When he 
came to the door, he said, addressing himself to 
me, c ‘ I know what you have come for ; you are 
skeptical in regard to the truth of animal mag¬ 
netism ; but I can satisfy you.” Upon this as¬ 
surance, he awoke his little daughter, and after I 
had fully convinced myself that she was awake, 
I told him to proceed. 


94 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


He then placed her in a chair, and after making 
a few passes downwards with his hands, in about 
three minutes he pronounced her fully magnetized. 
He then made her arm perfectly rigid, so that I 
could not bend it without injuring the child. 
After the performance of a few other experiments, 
I began to think there was something in it; and 
for the purpose of testing further the truth of the 
so-called science of animal and phreno-magnetism, 
I invited the parties to appear at my house on the 
following Monday evening. They accordingly 
came, in connexion with a number of others 
whom I had invited,—about thirty-six persons in 

all. Mrs. G- and her daughter were both 

magnetized, by Professors Jacobs and Granville, 
and a number of experiments were tried by the 
gentlemen upon the subjects, in w r hich they were 
successful. 

I told the father, before he awoke the child, I 
wished to test the truth of the phrenological ex¬ 
periments; remarking, at the same time, that I 
did not believe that phenomena could be produced 
in any one that 1 had witnessed in Professor 
Johnson’s subject, a few evenings before. After 
taking the finger of the magnetiser, and placing 
it on the organ of tune, she began to sing, when 



LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


95 


I exclaimed, u There is no mistake about it !” 
Keeping one finger on tune, and placing another 
on veneration, she began to sing a beautiful hymn. 
Keeping my finger on veneration, she commenced 
praying ; on combativeness, she showed a dis¬ 
position to fight. Without entering any further 
into an explanation of the phrenological experi¬ 
ments which were performed that evening, I will 
simply inform my reader that they were accom¬ 
panied by great applause from the audience. 

During the course of the week, some of my 
friends waited on me, and expressed a wish that 
I should deliver a public lecture on the subject. 
I consented, and made my debut a few evenings 
after this request As many of my readers 
are familiar with what took place on that even¬ 
ing, I will not detail the particulars, but will only 
say, that the experiments were mostly satisfactory 
to some, while others pronounced it a humbug. 
From that evening, I was styled “ Professor ” 
by those who knew me, and consequently was at 
the beck and call of almost every one throughout 
all the region round about Williamsburgh. 

I delivered two lectures in Brooklyn, shortly 
after this, which brought me still farther into no¬ 
tice. The public newspapers got to quarrelling 


96 


TlilRTY-TWO YEARS OF fHfc 


about me ; some styled me a humbug, while 
others lauded me to the skies, for the develops 
ments I had made to the public, in convincing 
some of the most skeptical of the truths of the 
mysterious science. I went to Paterson and lec¬ 
tured, and last of all, to Newtown, when my diffi¬ 
culties began with the church, the particulars of 
which I have already given you. 

Having now spent nearly two months writing* 
lecturing, and experimenting on the subject, I 
came to the conclusion to abandon my professional 
career, and once more resume my business duties. 
And in order to get rid of the excitement under 
which I was labouring, I came to the determina¬ 
tion to go south ; after informing my partner of 
my intentions, I made arrangements with Captain 
Williams, of the brig David Duffel , to take me and 
my brother Charles, together with some articles 
of merchandize with him to Wilmington, N. C< 
We sailed, and in a few days arrived at the port 
of our destination. Having taken with me vari¬ 
ous letters of recommendation to different mer¬ 
chants in that place, it did not take me long to 
become acquainted ; and during my stay, I was 
hospitably entertained by different individuals, 
most of whom were Baptists. By the request of 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


97 


the Pastor, and a number of the brethren of the 
Baptist church, I led a religious meeting, for the 
poor down-trodden slaves ; and I can assure my 
reader, during that afternoon, a happier time I 
never enjoyed. On the following evening a fire 
occurred in the town, close by where I was tarry¬ 
ing for the night, and while the family were en¬ 
gaged in evening devotions, they were suddenly 
startled by the noise which the slaves were ma¬ 
king in the kitchen. On going out, we saw the fire 
bursting out of a house, when Mr. Paterson ex¬ 
claimed, u It is brother Simpson’s house.” We 
immediately rushed to the spot, and found the 
family, on breaking the door, open were still wrapt 
in slumber, unconscious of their situation. We 
awoke them, told them their house was on fire* 
when they seized their clothes, and rushed wildly 
into the street; in a very short time for the want 
of water, three houses were consumed, which be¬ 
longed to three poor Odd Fellows. I intended to 
depart the following morning, but concluded to 
remain one night longer in the place, for the pur¬ 
pose of attending a meeting at the Odd Fellows* 
Lodge, which 1 did, and there shut out from the 
world, I saw the noble and generous spirit of the 
members, moved by sympathy for the losses sus- 
9 


98 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


tained by their brethren on the previous evening 
by fire. They subscribed among themselves, to¬ 
gether with the little mite contributed by brother 
Williams and myself, who were members of King’s 
County Lodge, a sufficient amount to build the 
whole three houses. And here, gentle reader, let 
me remind you that the Order of Odd Fellows is 
one of the best Institutions in the known world. 
They feed the hungry, clothe the naked,supply the 
wants of the destitute, comfort the sick and the 
dying ; in a word, they conform to all the require¬ 
ments of the blessed Saviour, who when on earth 
went about good doing. Their principles are 
friendship, love and truth ; first to the brethren 
of the order, and then to all mankind. Hav¬ 
ing some business in Washington City, I conclu¬ 
ded to return home by land, and accordingly 
set out the following morning by the railroad. 
We travelled through a section of country to 
Welden, and arrived at that place in the night. 
Taking another train of cars, we set out again, 
and in the morning we passed through the towns 
of Richmond, Petersburgh, and about ten o’clock, 
we arrived at Fredericksburgh, at which place we 
took the steamboat for Washington City. On 
going on board, we met the coffin which contain- 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


99 


ed the remains of the immortal Gillmore, who lost 
his life on board of the Princeton^ by the bursting 
of Commodore Stockton’s big gun, which event 
will ever be remembered by the people of this 
country, as a number of noble lives were sac¬ 
rificed. 

We passed up the beautiful Potomac, passed 
Mount Vernon, where the remains of the Father 
of our Country, George Washington, are deposit¬ 
ed, and soon we arrived at the capital city. 

I put up at Brown’s hotel, and immediately pro¬ 
ceeded to the house of Govenor Van Ness, and 
after stating my business, we took a carriage and 
repaired immediately to the pension office ; after 
transacting our business, we set out for the capi- 
tol at the head of Pennsylvania Avenue ; on arri¬ 
ving at this place he conducted me into the Su¬ 
preme Court room, where I found the immortal 
Story was presiding as judge. After listening for 
a short time to his honour, who was then speaking, 
I left this place, and proceeded to the Senate cham¬ 
ber, where they were just going into secret ses¬ 
sion ; shut out from this, I then proceeded to the 
chamber of the House of Representatives, where 
I found them in session, and remained there during 
the most of the afternoon. 1 then went into the 


100 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


Rotunda, where is contained some of the most 
beautiful paintings in the known world, chiefly 
painted from life, and representing the various 
battles of the revolution, together with the land¬ 
ing of our Pilgrim Fathers, and the marriage of 
Pocahontas. 

The next day I called on a number of mer¬ 
chants who were in the habit of buying goods of 
me, and after finishing all my business in Wash¬ 
ington, I left by the cars for Baltimore, where I 
arrived in the dusk of the evening, and put up at 
Barnum’s Plotel, one of the best in the United 
States. On the following morning I called on a 
number of my customers, and after finishing my 
business with them, I left that afternoon by the 
cars for Philadelphia, at which place I arrived in 
the night, and on the following morning took a 
stroll around for the purpose of viewing the beau¬ 
tiful quaker city. About eight o’clock I took the 
railroad train for New York, at which place I 
arrived about two o’clock, and came immediately 
over home ; on entering the house, my wife im¬ 
mediately informed me of the action of the church, 
which circumstance I have before alluded to. I 
was much surprised on going to my store the 
next morning, to find my business in a deranged 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


101 


state, my partner having entered into another 
business, leaving me to shoulder the coffee and 
spice business, while he attended to his other mat¬ 
ters. 

For a short time things went on very well, but 
in the course of two or three months, I became 
restless, nervous, and dissatisfied, finally I ceased 
to act, and determined to leave the concern ; for 
three months I was laid up with the blues, after 
which we dissolved partnership on the eighth day 
of September, 1844. In a few days after this, I 
commenced business on my own account, with a 
small capital of about $700. My store was loca¬ 
ted in Jones Lane, near Front-street; 1 employed 
a young man for a bookkeeper, and took my 
brother-in-law in foreman, and had business the 
most of the time to keep ten hands employed. 
But my career in this place w r as destined to be 
short; I had not been in business more than two 
months before the presidential campaign com¬ 
menced, when I was carried away by the political 
excitement; I had m}” combativeness aroused at 
a Native American mass meeting, where I was 
mobed, the particulars of which the most of my 
readers are familiar with, therefore I shall omit to 
name them. Now for the first time I entered the 
9 # 


102 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


political arena, and commenced spouting politics 
in good earnest, and continued to do so till the 
victory was gained. After the excitement died 
away, like Alexander, 1 sat down and wept that 
there were no more victories to gain ; from this 
time, I fell into a morbid, melancholy state, and 
was rendered unfit to attend to any kind of busi¬ 
ness for nearly four months, during which time, 
my business was conducted by my bookkeeper 
and brother-in-law. In about six months after I 
commenced, my bookkeeper informed me that he 
could not get funds to pay my notes ; I became 
alarmed at this intelligence, and told him to take 
an account of stock, balance the accounts, and 
bring me over a balance sheet. This he did, when 
to my surprise, I found 1 had sunk all my capital, 
and was three hundred dollars worse than nothing. 
Now for the first time in my life I was obliged to 
fail, I therefore, after giving my creditors a state¬ 
ment of my affairs, made an assignment of all my 
effects, except my furniture, for the benefit of my 
creditors, making a preferment to my assignee, 
which latter act I have had reason to regret ever 
since, as all my goods were sacrificed in such a 
way, that the most of my creditors got nothing out 
of it at the time ; but since, I have been enabled 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


103 


to pay the most of them one hundred cents on the 
dollar. My mortification attending this failure 
was so great, that I desired to hide myself in the 
caves and dens of the earth, but this I was not per¬ 
mitted to do. 

Mr. D. E. M., a particular friend, called on me 
one day, and expressed a wish that I should go 
West with him. I heartily complied with his 
wishes and went, and in about two weeks I re¬ 
turned a well man. On my return, my old friend 
W., and Colonel W., of our village, advised me 
to go into the real estate business. I took their 
advice, opened a land office, and in about three 
months after I commenced, I made about $1,400, 
during which time my wife received $600 from 
the Government. Fortune smiled for a time. 
My friend Berrien, at my request, deeded her 
two small lots of land, on which she built a house, 
which cost $1,500. She employed her own 
money in the erection of this building, which left 
her in debt, owing to its having been blown down, 
about $1,000. 

Just before this accident happened to the house, 
I used up my spare money in paying off old 
debts, and erecting a stone foundation on two lots 
of land, situated on the corner of South Third 


104 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


and First Streets, on which I purposed to build a 
large factory. This scheme, 1 afterwards found, 
to my sorrow, was a visionary one, and it had a 
tendency to floor me completely. I began to grow 
melancholy and sad, and in a short time 1 was 
down on the broad of my back with the u blues,” 
and remained in this situation about four months. 
When my worthy and esteemed friend, Colgate 
Gilbert, commenced the coflee and spice business 
at my old stand, No. 93 Fulton-street, New York, 
he employed me as clerk, at ten dollars per week ; 
but notwithstanding all his kindness to me, 1 was 
restless and dissatisfied, when I remembered the 
ingratitude of those I had befriended in former 
days, and the disrespect in which I was held by 
my old bookkeeper, who built up a business on 
the ruins of my fall. Not satisfied with obtain¬ 
ing my business, he and my brother-in-law cir¬ 
culated stories about me, which tended to affect 
my reputation for honest and sobrieiy. Through 
their instrumentality, I was turned out of the 
society of the Sons of Temperance, for drinking 
wine at a u Polk and Dallas ” supper, the pre¬ 
vious fall, and finally turned out of the church 
again, in the spring of 1846. I remained with 
Mr. Gilbert about three months ; and at the ex- 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


105 


piration of that time, I was induced to buy out a 
concern in Brooklyn, which scheme I had reason 
afterwards to regret. The man of whom I pur¬ 
chased the store misrepresented the situation of 
his affairs to me ; and after I had been in business 
two months, I found I could not get along, as I had 
lost the confidence of most of the merchants with 
whom I had formerly traded, and could not ob¬ 
tain a sufficient amount of credit to enable me to 
continue business. I therefore determined on 
quitting here ; and while in the act of moving my 
stock and fixtures away from the store, I had 
about $100 worth of things seized for the pre¬ 
vious tenant’s rent. A short time after this, my 
horse, waggon, and harness were seized under a 
judgment; and about this time the church with¬ 
drew the hand of fellowship from me, as I before 
named, the particulars of which I am obliged to 
omit for want of time and space. I then com¬ 
menced the land business again, but did not do 
anything at it, owing to other persons having gone 
into it, and there being little or no sale for pro¬ 
perty. I finally became discouraged ; and on the 
6th of April I was taken with the quinsey sore 
throat, and from that time I shut myself up in 
the house with the u blues,” which rendered me, 


106 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


nearly four months, partially insane ; during which 
time my wife supported the family by keeping 
boarders. A circumstance occurred about the 
latter part of July, which I feel in duty bound to 
state in justification of my wife. My mind was 
filled with jealousy towards her, for no other 
reason under heaven than that I thought she de¬ 
voted more of her time and attention to the board¬ 
ers than she did to me : this caused me to feel 
very unpleasant towards her. Having been to 
the city one day, she came home in the evening 
quite tired. I was sitting in the Boston rocker, 
in the basement. On my rising from the chair, 
she ran and sat down in it. Not relishing the 
manner in which she had deprived me of my seat, 
I told her she should get out of it, which she 
refused to do. 1 then took hold of her and tried 
to pull her out, when she exclaimed, K You hurt 
me.” At this instant one of the boarders stepped 
up, and ordered me, in a very peremptory man¬ 
ner, to let go of her, which 1 refused to do. He 
then [gave me a shove, when, in return, I gave 
him a blow which blacked his eye, and which, I 
trust, will enable him to remember never to in¬ 
terfere between man and wife; but for which I 
am sorry, as I suppose he did it from a good mo- 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


107 


tive. This created quite an uproar, both in-doors 
and outside in the street. The boarders went up 
stairs to go to bed, and my wife also retired to her 
room. The thought struck me for a moment that 
the old rocking chair had made a great deal of 
mischief, and I determined to deprive it of exist¬ 
ence. I accordingly procured an axe, went into 
the basement, and in a few moments there was 
nothing left of it but the broken fragments. This 
alarmed all who were in the house, and one of 
them went out for an officer, supposing I was 
raving mad. I immediately suspected their in¬ 
tentions, went up stairs into the front parlor, and 
lay down upon a bolster and pillow which I pro¬ 
cured from the back room. I took care, how¬ 
ever, to secure the door ; so that, when the officer 
came, he should be unable to gain admittance. I 
did not sleep any all night, and in the morning 
two doctors were called in, who, on examination, 
pronounced me insane. I very much doubt, how¬ 
ever, the correctness of their judgment; as I 
recollect distinctly everything that occurred while 
they were there and after they retired to the base¬ 
ment, the squire being in attendance for the pur¬ 
pose of consulting with them, when a writ was 
issued for my arrest, and served on the following 


108 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


morning. I was taken into a waggon, accompa¬ 
nied by two officers (both brother Odd Fellows), 
and of course they felt a lively sympathy for their 
unfortunate brother, whom they were about to 
incarcerate in a lunatic asylum. On leaving home, 
my mind was impressed with the idea that I should 
never return to the embraces of a fond wife and 
five little children. This thought so affected me, 
that my heart swelled with grief, and my eyes 
were suffused with tears. On my w r ay to the 
asylum, Brother Guischard would occasionally 
speak to me, and try to arouse me from my train 
of reflections ; but my mind was too much ab¬ 
sorbed by thought, so that my tongue could not 
perform its functions. On our arrival at Flat- 
bush, the superintendent, after examining the 
documents brought by the officers for my com¬ 
mitment, pronounced them informal. He would 
not receive me into the institution ; so the officers 
were obliged to bring me home again ; and on 
returning, my pride was mortified exceedingly to 
have them carry me through the streets of Wil- 
liamsburgh, which they were obliged to do, not 
being able to find Justice Lycraft, who drew out 
my commitment. I -was also afraid lest they 
might put me in the cells until the following 


"LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


109 


■morning. After searching about the village for 
some time, exposing me to the gaze of a curious 
public, they at length took me home. I had not 
been there long before Colonel Westlake came 
and took me out riding with him, talked to me 
all the time we were together, and on my return, 
told my wife that there was no necessity for them 
to put me into the asylum, and that, if he could 
have the charge of me, he would cure me in less 
than two weeks, as all I wanted was air and ex¬ 
ercise to make me a well man. I must give this 
gentleman the credit of knowing more about me, 
and what was necessary for my cure, than those 
two distinguished physicians who pronounced me 
insane two da} T s previously. The colonel’s as¬ 
surances had a happy effect on my mind, and 
from that time I began to mend, and in the course 
of a few days I was enabled to go down to my 
office and attend to business. Ah! when will 
the time come when physicians, ministers, and 
people will give themselves up to the study of 
nature ?—to the study of man as he exists, with 
reference to his mental and physical organization ? 
Unless they do this, they never can acquit them¬ 
selves of the requirements of the Eternal God. 
Having now become entirely well, and my 


110 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


business not being good, I was obliged to seek 
diversion in a variety of ways. Occasionally 1 
would go to the theatre, and sometimes on fishing 
excursions; and by these means, connected with 
an investigation of scientific subjects, I was ena¬ 
bled to find ample food for the mind. During 
the period intervening between the time the 
church excluded me and my birth-day, which 
occurred on the 11th day of October following, I 
ceased not to thunder my anathemas against them 
for the injustice I received from their hands. 
Through their instrumentality my mind became 
disordered, and persecutions commenced against 
me which were unjust and cruel. I was charged 
by the more vicious portion of the cummunity 
with being a dishonest man, a liar, swearer, 
drunkard, infidel, and adulterer ; all of which 
charges, my heavenly Father knows, are entirely 
without a shadow of foundation. Except once, 
I never intentionally wronged any man out of one 
cent during my whole life. I never told a lie to 
injure a mortal man ; for a liar and hypocrite I 
despise from my very soul. I never, to my re¬ 
collection, took the name of God in vain more 
than twenty times in my life. I have got drunk, 
but only occasionally, as my reader can see by 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


Ill 


looking back upon my past life. I am not an 
infidel, although 1 have my peculiar views of the 
Scriptures, which I have gathered from nature ; 
and as for being an adulterer, my well-known 
character for love of virtue gives the lie to the 
charge ! All those things are against me ; but, 
thank God, they have not overwhelmed me 
Notwithstanding, they have prejudiced the minds 
of the public against me, so that I cannot get 
employment in such an occupation as would be 
desirable ; and, consequently, I am stigmatized as 
a lazy man by some; while others will say, 
“ What a pity it is a man of your talent should 
idle away his time in the manner you are doing !” 
and by all these circumstances, poverty is now 
staring me and my large dependant family in the 
face, and God only knows what will yet be the 
end. Since I was thrust out of the Baptist 
church, I have attended the Universalists, and 
have listened to their preaching with great satis¬ 
faction. My mind is now fully confirmed in the 
belief of the doctrine of the universal restoration 
of all mankind to the enjoyment of blessedness ; 
notwithstanding I also believe that man will be 
punished according to the deeds done in the body. 
As far as my knowledge of them as a society is 


112 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


concerned, I have found them social and humane- 
Instead of dispising the poor unfortunate victim* 
of sin, they pity him. Their ears are ever open 
to the cries of suffering humanity, and their hearts 
are moved with friendly sympathy. In a word, 
they supply the wants of the destitute, comfort 
the afflicted, offer consolation to the sick and the 
dying, and preach and practice the law of benev¬ 
olence and love ; all of which, I think, is in per¬ 
fect conformity to the requirements of our blessed 
Redeemer. 

Having now arrived to the age of thirty-two,, 
and as I promised to give my readers thirty-two 
years of the life of an adventurer, I will now 
inform you that the eccentric genius of whom I 
have been writing is no other than your humble 
author, 


JOHN H. DRAKE. 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


113 


CONCLUSION. 


When a man is charged with having commit- 
ted an offence against the laws of the land, he is 
arraigned at the bar of justice, and tried by a jury 
of his country. After the witnesses are all ex¬ 
amined, the counsel on the part of the prosecution, 
and also in behalf of the prisoner, sum up the case } 
the latter pleading most earnestly in his behalf. 
The judge then delivers his charge to the jury; 
who, after an impartial investigation of the evi¬ 
dence, for and against the prisoner, bring in a ver¬ 
dict of “ guilty ” or “ not guilty.” 

Now, having been tried by an evil spirit all my 
life time, before a jury of the world, many of them 
have passed sentence of condemnation upon me, 
without allowing the mighty Counsellor, the meek 
and lowly Jesus, to sum up the evidence; and the 
great Judge of the quick and dead to deliver his 
charge before an assembled universe ; and if found 
guilty, to pass sentence upon me, that I might be 
punished according to the deeds done in the body. 



114 THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 

Considering that such decisions of my enemies 
are premature, and cruelly unjust, and knowing 
as I do that I cannot avail myself of the advocacy 
of the eternal Counsellor and Judge, 1 claim the 
privilege of summing up the evidences of my 
checkered and sinful life, and will then present 
this little book to the w r orld ; who, after a careful 
perusal of its contents, I trust will at least throw 
over me the mantle of charity, and cease their 
cruel persecutions. 

Reader, in viewing the character of your hum¬ 
ble author, you behold him standing forth in bold 
relief to an assembly of human beings, as a faithful 
exhibition of the true character of fallen man. In 
early life you find him pursing his juvenile studies, 
preparatory to launching forth into the ocean of 
life; during which time peace and contentment 
reigned supreme in that bosom, while youthful 
simplicity and innocence marked his youthful 
course. With a pure and uncontaminated mind, 
he enters upon the business of life, in order to 
procure for himself an honest livelihood. In a 
very short time after this, you see him surrounded 
by circumstances by which he is drawn into the 
vortex of sin. At the age of fifteen years, he sese 
Ais youthful folly, forsakes for a. time the fascina*- 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER- >15 

ting charms of the world, and enters for a brief 
period the Christian ranks, where you find him 
enjoying the light of a Saviour’s reconciled counte¬ 
nance. One year rolls its round, and circumstan¬ 
ces change, when you find him drawn by the al¬ 
lurements and temptations by which he is sur¬ 
rounded, into the vortex of misery and degradation- 
You then find him roaming over the mighty ocean* 
and distant climes, until at length his roving ca¬ 
reer is partially checked by the death of his fond 
and doting parents, which circumstance has a ten¬ 
dency, in a brief period, to induce him to forsake 
the paths of sin and folly, and be enabled once 
more to bask under the bright and effulgent beams 
of a Saviour’s reconciled countenance : during 
which time you see him engaged in various pur¬ 
suits, and exposed to suffering and trials, which 
have a tendency to keep him humble, and enable 
him to pursue the paths of rectitude. At the close 
of his eventful life of thirty-two years, circum¬ 
stances induce him to enter the professional career, 
where you find him exposing himself and his pro¬ 
fessional views to the gaze of a curious public, 
willing to sacrifice everything, without receiving 
any emolument to satisfy the skeptical, and con¬ 
vince the most obdurate minds of the truths he 


116 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


has embraced, and for which he is obliged to sub¬ 
mit to the scorn and contumely of a cold and sel¬ 
fish world, and through which circumstance, he 
is reduced from a state of affluence and happiness 
with his family, to a state of indigence and pov¬ 
erty. Having, in a very brief manner, summed 
up, without referring to the many pleasing inci¬ 
dents, and the numerous hair-breadth escapes of 
my life, the various occupations in which I have 
been engaged, and the persecutions I have had to 
contend wfith, all of which are given in the forego- 
ing pages, and is no doubt vivid in the recollec¬ 
tion of my reader, I will now, in a brief manner, 
deliver to you my charge, which I trust may make 
a lasting impression upon your minds, and enable 
you to shun vice, and pursue the paths of wisdom, 
whose ways are w r ays of pleasantness, and all her 
paths are peace. 

Fellow-citizens, I shall not revert back to the 
evidences of my life, for the truth of which I ap¬ 
peal to the God of the heavens and the earth to 
witness, and before whose bar I expect to stand, 
to be judged according to the deeds done in the 
body, but will deliver to you a short and impres¬ 
sive charge. Jesus, when on earth, placed an in¬ 
junction upon the human family, that we should 


LIFE or AN ADVENTURER. 


117 


love God and our neighbour as ourselves. This 
should unite us together by peculiar ties, as bind¬ 
ing, as enduring, as dear as the ties of consan¬ 
guinity itself; ties that should link us to each 
other, in a bright chain of interwoven agency. 
Thus continually imparling and receiving in mani¬ 
fold reciprocal influences amoral power, the mag¬ 
nitude of which, and its ultimate tendencies,, 
mortal intelligences may faintly imagine, but 
which eternity alone shall truly reveal. This 
searching, everywhere permeating influence, is 
and will be for good or for evil; for us there can. 
be no neutral state, we must act, and our motto 
should be, u onward and upward.” 

Time that spins so softly and swiftly on, whose 
quick succeeding years, with their noises, and 
strifes, and heavy freightage ot human woes, aud 
human joys, are sinking so rapidly into the silent 
depths of the past, hurries us pauselessly along in. 
its irresistable course ; not a step can be retraced, 
not a word recalled, not an action undone. And 
when we for a moment consider, that in our steps 
will follow countless thousands, that our word will 
be taken up, and borne far and near on myriads of 
tongues, that our actions will impress themselves 
sooner or later, and with more or less potency,, 


118 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


upon the movements of unnumbered multitudes 
of our fellow-creatures ; how startling appears 
our position,how amazing its responsibility, how 
astounding its results ! From all will be demand¬ 
ed, each one according to his gifts, a final account. 
Be then but true to your God, and faithful to your¬ 
selves, and your professions ; be sincere, real, let 
your acted life be woof-woven, from your inner 
spiritual being : dare to think, live, and work in 
truth, enlist under her banner, go stoutty out, and 
with the entire might of jmur undivided being, 
wage perpetual warfare against vice and immo¬ 
rality, not forgetting however to pity the unfor¬ 
tunate victim of sin. Do this I say, and you will 
have worthily vindicated your claims to the proud 
title of men and woman. 

Fellow-citizens, mark me ! no matter how 
punctual you may be in your attendance upon 
divine worship,—no matter how strictly you may 
perform the duties religion enjoins,—succour dis¬ 
tress, solace sorrow, feed hunger, clothe naked¬ 
ness, supply, in a word, want in all its woe-stricken 
phases,—do all this, and the world esteems it 
much, and it is praiseworthy ;—do all this, I say, 
and you have scarcely begun to acquit yourselves 
of the blessed requirements of duty. For what, 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


119 


after all, is the summing up of all human suffer¬ 
ing ? Can you any more than die ? The heart¬ 
broken and poverty-pressed find in death their 
maximum, at once, of earthly woe and earthly 
joy. The ministering angel breathes upon them, 
and straightway, for these down-trodden, hope- 
lifted ones, the veil of existence is parted asunder, 
and disembodied spirits ascend, and the seed 
which did but germinate here, buds, blooms, and 
exhales its sweets in a more genial clime. No 
duty has a larger, nobler sense, one more in con¬ 
sonance with right reason, one better responsive 
to the elevated and elevating teachings of the 
religion of Jesus Christ;—a meaning, indeed, 
without the proper understanding of which, and 
proper adaptation of our conduct thereto, we can 
never know or experience what are the true 
principles of the religion taught by Christ, when 
he was here upon earth, nor profitably sow or 
reap in its wide and fertile field. We must look 
to our moral necessities—they are greater than 
our physical : the former are infinite, the latter 
finite. Of the latter the consummation is death ; 
of the former—what? Let each of my readers 
ask solemnly his own soul: the answer will 
surely bring new light; you will catch some 


120 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF THE 


glimpses of the higher sense, and more just views 
of the Christian religion. 

Fellow-citizens, we have an important mission 
to perform ; namely, that of working out the 
moral amelioration of our kind, to whose ultimate 
destiny, through its sacred instrumentality, we 
shall and may look forward with a high and 
cheering faith. 

Society never intrinsically retrogrades. Storms 
and winds may agitate the surface, create eddies 
and apparent reflux, but the main current, like that 
of the Father of Waters, rolls unceasingly on. 

History, philosophy, the divinity within, all 
declare it; religion affirms it: it is an effluence 
from the infinite Energy, this time-movement of 
mortality ; and, by a sure progressive law, shall 
carry society forward until man shall attain the 
true end and glory of his being. 

Understand me, fellow-citizens. The motive 
force of this forward movement of the nations of 
the earth, is the moral power regenerate in truth. 
It is to be sought for in the innermost being of 
man. It is the one recuperative virtue. The 
fabled Ganges, taking its source in the heavens, 
descends upon the grateful earth, and covers all 
its hills and valleys with the lovely and the 


LIFE OF AN ADVENTURER. 


121 


good. Without its presence there can be no 
real advancement—no permanent improvement 
in society. 

Education— intellectual refinement—whether 
individual or national, must be permeated by it, 
else they will come to nought, and soon utterly 
perish. This is the paramount lesson of all phi¬ 
losophy, of all history. It is traced to the mon¬ 
uments of departed greatness ; it speaks in tones 
of thunder from the hoary past, and calls loudly 
for us to set up the moral empire in our own 
breasts, each of us, and then extend it through¬ 
out the sphere of our action over our fellow- 
beings. Do this, and though we should be cut 
off in the midst of our days, we shall not have 
lived in vain. Though the silver cord be snapped, 
yet shall the melody of such a life mingle itself 
with the celestial songs that float and flow ever¬ 
lastingly round Him that sits upon the throne. — 
Though the golden howl be broken, yet shall the 
wondrous vital force impress its miraculous influ¬ 
ence upon all the countless myriads of created 
intelligences, through all the cycles of progressive 
being, until the riplet on the stream of time shall 
billow a boundless wave about the summit of the 
measurable all. 


122 


THIRTY-TWO YEARS OE THE 


I now take my farewell of you for a time ; 
but I trust not for ever, believing, as I do, that 
the final destiny of all mankind will be the uni¬ 
versal restoration of all created intelligences. 




















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